Caroling at Christmas in the Marianas

The Christmas in the Marianas held its Christmas caroling contest last Saturday at the Paseo de Marianas and the turnout was bigger than prior years, according to Marianas Visitors Authority community projects specialist Ryan Calvo.

The event kicked off with students from the Green Meadow School serenading the community with holiday tunes followed by other schools that joined the caroling contest.

Koblerville Elementary School received the loudest cheers in last Saturday’s Christmas in the Marianas caroling contest held at the Paseo de Marianas in Garapan. (Jayson Camacho)

Schools that were present were San Vicente Elementary School, San Antonio Middle School, Garapan Elementary School, Northern Marianas International School, Green Meadow School, Koblerville Elementary School, Kagman High School, Saipan Southern High School, and other schools.

The event went from 5:30pm to 9pm with community members and visitors alike enjoying the voices of the CNMI’s very own children.

“I think the kids are pouring out their heart and soul tonight and if you see, we have more participants here. This year we have more requests from the students for the caroling contest,” Calvo said.

“This helps promote the talent of the schools here in the CNMI and also give them a chance to spread the holiday spirit to guests from abroad. I was here last year and it was good and it is getting competitive every year,” Calvo added.

Koblerville Elementary School received the loudest cheers from community members during the event.

The school’s music director John Jimeno said that last year they got second place for the caroling contest and were first place years prior to 2013.

“This year we want to try and aim to win this caroling contest. It took us about a month and a half because a lot of our former members moved on to the middle school and the only ones that we have left are new members,” Jimeno said.

“This year’s event has a very big turnout compared to the previous years and see what they are able to bring to table,” he added.

One community member who asked to remain anonymous said that she and her kids have been going to the event annually.

“This year it is much bigger, you can see that the people are finally enjoying the event and want to be involve in the community more. So my child is in one of the schools and we’re here to watch him perform,” she said.

Next Saturday, Dec. 20, Christmas in the Marianas will be highlighted by a Marianas Walkers Association 5-kilometer Christmas Health Walk. There will also be a Christmas Costume Show, a Christmas parade from the Carolinian Village to Paseo with a float contest, and stage entertainment from 6pm to 9pm. On Dec. 27 there will be a Mochitsuki Exhibition.