17 MHS students find ‘diamonds on the ground’

Over two months of hard work resulted in a big payout of crops, extra school credits, and valuable hands-on experience for 17 Marianas High School students who completed their agriculture class, joining a growing community of young farmers who would carry on the islands’ second-most important industry.

The students—ranging from sophomores to seniors—received their certificates at the school grounds Thursday last week, during the open house for the class, now aptly called the MHS Lancheros. The event featured some of their freshly harvested produce, which were sold at very affordable prices.

This year’s agriculture class was a pilot project in partnership with the Northern Marianas Trades Institute, which provided the financial and manpower resources to make the project happen.

The class was composed of Maria Theresa Elizabeth Dizon, Jayna Lizama, Teejay Valenzuela, Mary Ann Waing, Antonio M. Cabrera, Erene Rose S., Allison Palattao, Sophia Sablan, Beverly S. Isip, Frederick John C. Delos Santos, Melody Margaret Johnson, Loralee Sablan, Janet R. Estrellado, Angelito Trinidad Gutierrez, Aurora F. David, Jacklyn M. Garote, and David Kiyoshi P. Hosono.

Under the instruction of agriculturist Isidoro T. Cabrera, the group tilled the 40 feet by 60 feet plot behind Building D, planting vegetable seeds and cultivating them since the beginning of the class in March.

On Thursday, the students harvested their first crop of white radish, okra, peanuts, cucumber, eggplants, and green onion—just a few of the other local produce they’ve sown like string beans, cassava, sweet potato, tomato, bush beans, and sweet corn.

Heedless of the sun’s scorching rays, Maria Theresa Elizabeth Dizon showed off the green onions they’ve been growing in their small plot.

“Nobody thought I would do this farming class because I’ve always been the girly type,” said Dizon, who was in a black sleeveless tank top, fuchsia skirt, and gray flats. “But when I started high school, I wanted to try different things.”

Dizon’s interest was piqued when the after-school agriculture class was offered by NMTI at MHS, thanks to a grant funding that also made possible the instructional classes for other courses like entrepreneurship, sales and marketing, and even lifeguarding.

“It wasn’t difficult at all, especially since you’re learning from a great teacher who persevered to teach us. We were a group of dedicated people in class,” she said.

To be among those who went out and stayed under the sun to plant and nurture the crops “gives me that sense of pride” and a feeling of amazement and excitement, said the MHS lass.

“My favorite part was growing something I could eat. I’ll never underestimate a farmer again,” said Dizon, 15.

According to agriculturist Cabrera, he merely gave instructions and guidelines to the students and they were the ones who learned hands-on by doing the labor-intensive aspects of the class.

“I knew that the students who remained in class until the very end are those who are committed to learn about the basics of agriculture, so I’m really proud of them,” Cabrera told Saipan Tribune. “It’s a great start to try to convince more students that there are lots of good things about farming, including earning big money.”

NMTI founding president Tony Pellegrino attended Thursday’s open house to personally hand the certificates and congratulate the students for a job well done.

“I’m really excited about this venture and I’m proud of this group of young farmers. The involvement of these young minds is the beginning of a bigger, brighter agriculture industry for the CNMI. It’s going to motivate their parents and other people. It will boomerang in our community,” said Pellegrino.

According to him, Saipan could actually become the “food basket of Guam” since it has twice the available agricultural plots. He noted that Saipan should be kept a rural community and let Guam become the urban island.

With the success of the pilot agricultural class, Pellegrino said NMTI is now looking at expanding the program to Kagman, Saipan Southern, and even Tinian Jr./Sr. high schools.

“We have to educate our young people who are still malleable and can be trained. Agriculture is the second most important industry in our developing nation and we have thousands and thousands of acres of land that we can utilize to grow crops,” he said.

Vice principal John Davis also expressed amazement at what the class was able to accomplish. “These came out of the ground. You grew all these. This is what you can do. I’m so proud of you.”

Principal Cherlyn Cabrera, who visited the young farmers’ plot and bought some of their produce, said the agriculture class was part of the school’s electives that teach young learners’ minds about viable industries and careers for their future.

“We know how important farmers are and the agriculture industry. There’s a lot of room for that on Saipan. We just wanted to show the kids that and they’ve been very active and involved,” she said.

Cabrera acknowledged the successful partnership between MHS and NMTI to bring learning and education to students and hopefully enhance the program in the future.

“With someone as successful as these kids were in this class, along with their enthusiasm, that trickles and becomes more effective in stimulating the interest of other students. The interest is there, which is great,” she added.

The bubbly Dizon reveals that even her parents were encouraged to plant something in their own backyard, even asking their only child to get them seeds that they would plant.

“Like what Mr. Pellegrino told us before, these are diamonds on the ground,” said Dizon, smiling.