Eight graduate from Alternative Education Program

Alternative Education Program 2014 graduates, AEP staff, Board of Education members, education officials, and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) pose for a photo after the ceremony at Marianas High School’s building ‘H’ in Susupe on Friday, April 11. (Jayson Camacho)

Tears and laughter were shared on Friday, April 11, as eight students of the Public School System’s Alternative Education Program graduated from the program.

The event featured introduction of the program’s staff, special remarks from the Board of Education and Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan, and graduation certificates presented by both principals of Marianas High School and Saipan Southern High School.

Six of the graduates were from MHS: Joseph Buekis, Frankie Ramangmou, Nickson Mettao, Mathew Aaron, Roman Alexander, and Tatiana Palacios. Two were from SSHS: Josie Igisaiar, and Donald Hockett.

Program director Felisa Brel congratulated the graduates for successfully completing the program.

“As individuals with different learning styles, obstacles and challenges thrown at you every day, the story is different as you have all grown into mature young men and a woman who have showed commitment, dedication in achieving one of your life goal,” Brel said.

“Your future is in your hands, no one else’s….seize the opportunity as you go forward. You need to be comfortable with who you are in order to find your place in the world,” she added.

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) personally presented congressional commendations to two of the graduates, Ramangmou and Aaron.

“There are students that work the hardest and does great improvement, and not everyone recognizes that, but I do, so I call my award ‘Against all Odds,’ because they fall down and dust themselves and get back up, so I presented the awards and work with the people who have worked with them, and they have worked the hardest,” Sablan told Saipan Tribune.

One of the graduates, Roman Alexander, 20, said that he is so happy. “I finally made it. I never thought I could make it! I want to say thank you to Mrs. Brel, Ms. Tudela, Ms. Arkoh, and Mrs. Longworth and to my fellow students for helping and successfully completing this program. Stay gold!” Alexander said.

Aaron said he is more than happy at graduating and was surprised at being recognized with his award.

Program chair Christine Tudela said the students’ success in the program was brought about by the nurtured development of caring relationships among students, teachers, counselor, and administrator.

“We hope to foster a safe and conducive environment for all our students and staff,” she said.

Tudela noted that the program has always believed in serving students and providing them another chance to complete requirements needed to acquire their high school diploma.

The Alternative Education Center serve students who are normally suspended out of school so that they remain engaged in learning but separated from the normal day-to-day instruction at their respective schools. The center also serves those students who are unwilling or unable to continue their education due to age or credit requirements, resulting in referral to the GED program.