Lee, Omori lead MBA’s Class of 2012

The Marianas Baptist Academy’s Class of 2012 ended the school year with a twist—a double valedictorian with Jessica Im Lee and Manatsu E. Omori.

Lee, Omori, salutatorian Han Byol Yu, and 11 other graduates were recognized during the 25th Commencement Exercises for both junior high and high school graduates held Friday at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

The top three graduating students were informed of their awards just a few days before graduation or immediately after returning from a successful trip representing the CNMI in the national level of the mathleague.org competition.

Each of them received corresponding scholarships from MBA.

Lee, the fourth of five children of parents Jin Hye Kim and Jun Ho Lee, arrived on island in third grade and has since joined various competitions, including Mathcourt and National Forensic League. She was a part of the senior class yearbook committee and the editor-in-chief of the newspaper committee and also performed volunteer work for the Public Defender’s Office and the Supreme Court.

Lee acknowledged God, her family, friends, and teachers for her success. “Thinking about it, it took a lot of hard work,” she said. “I know I could’ve done more but I think it was my best shot and I’m just glad that I’m done with it now.”

Lee is scheduled to leave for Princeton University where she plans to major in international relations. “In my NFL speech competition, I did something called foreign extemporaneous and I became really interested in what’s going on around the world. I wanted to try to help people around the world.”

Lee, who also plans to study law to become an international attorney, advised other students to try hard to succeed. “Do your best and always pray.”

Echoing the same advice, valedictorian Omori said those who aspire to be on top of their class should study “really, really hard.”

“The only people that actually get this title are those that strive for it, those who take it seriously,” said Omori. “If you take it seriously enough for you to study and to have fun and to do everything, then you get the title you deserve.”

Omori is the older of two sons of Takahiro and Annarose Omori of Marpi. He has competed in Mathcourt and NFL competitions, among others. He is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, has played for their school’s basketball and volleyball team, and takes part in the school’s monthly beach cleanups.

Beyond the confines of MBA, Omori is a member of the Northern Marianas Badminton Association and is among the high school volunteers for this year’s Environmental Expo by the Division of Environmental Quality.

The 16-year-old Omori said after Friday’s ceremony that hard work and prayer, along with the support of his family, classmates, teachers and staff helped him with his success.

Omori is set to leave mid-August for Tennessee where he will attend classes at Vanderbilt University where he will major either in psychology or medicine, health and society to support his future plans of becoming an oncologist.

Salutatorian Yu, 18, said that she tried her best to get the best scores in her subjects but didn’t expect to become the top 2 graduate of the class. She gave credit to her classmates, teachers, and especially her family because “they were always there next to me to cheer me up.”

Aside from representing MBA and the CNMI in competitions, she served as business manager for the student council and yearbook editor-in-chief. She performed volunteer work through the American Red Cross and the Korean Society.

Yu, the older of two daughters of Ji Kwang Yu and Young Soon Roh, plans to move next year to Korea where she plans to study her favorite subject, science, and one day become a forensic scientist. In the meantime, she will try to acquire some work experience on island by accepting tutorial and translation jobs.

Yu encouraged aspiring honor students to do their best. “Don’t worry about grades too much. If you’re doing your best, everything will just follow.”

Other outstanding graduates for this year’s class were A-Honor awardees Jodel Katrina Fernandez, who will be studying in Ateneo de Manila University; and Almond Dominique Legaspi, who will pursue higher education at the University of the Philippines.

Fernandez also received the Athletic Award while Legaspi earned the Service Award. The Leadership Award was presented to Yuko Takayama and the Loyalty Award was conferred on Lee, Sung Eun An, and Richard Eo.

Friday’s ceremony was led by Dr. Yang Hoon Lee, MBA president; pastor and vice president Ramiro H. Trinidad; secretary/treasurer Leah R. Alfred; guest speaker Jennifer Dockter; and teachers Tony Flores and Lorna Liban.