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Ermitanio is 2019 PTO Staff of the Year
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Posted on Feb 18 2019
2019 State Pupil Transportation Staff of the Year winner Arnel Ermitanio of Saipan, center, is congratulated by fellow finalists Renato Benghit of Tinian and Rhysanne Hizon of Rota as Education Commissioner Glen Muña announces the state winner. Board of Education chair Janice Marie A. Tenorio along with BOE and PSS officials, also congratulated the winner. (PSS)
Arnel Ermitanio was recognized last Saturday as the 2019 CNMI Public School System’s Pupil Transportation Office Staff of the Year, along with two other representatives from Rota and Tinian, respectively.
Ermitanio represented Saipan. Rhysanne Hizon represented Rota. Renato Benghit represented Tinian.
Ermitanio was presented his plaque last Saturday at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan during the culmination of the weeklong Pupil Transportation Office celebration.
“You all deserve the honor for what you do every day,” said Board of Education chair Janice A. Tenorio. “All of you are winners.”
Education Commissioner Glenn Muña emphasized the role of the PTO staff in the safety and security of students. “You wake up very early in the morning and go home very late just to make sure our public school students are safely home from school,” he said. “No matter how exhausted you all are in driving our buses, driving our students to and from school and home, you do it with a smile. You always make a time to welcome our kids, no matter if it is a good day or otherwise.”
Ermitanio appeared dumbstruck. “I would like to thank everyone for this honor,” he said, adding that he “didn’t know what to say.”
Muña, who reminisced about his time as an associate commissioner for administrative services in 2012, said that the OPT “has come a long way” since then.
“I thank you for your professionalism and for continuing to improve,” he added.
PSS has already announced five of its six annual state-level recognition awards. So far, Roselle Carreon of Oleai Elementary School holds the 2019 CNMI PSS State Teacher of the Year award, Michael Berbes of Hopwood Middle School holds the 2019 CNMI PSS State Instructor of the Year award, Grace Belyea of Garapan Elementary School and Salote Kesol of Hopwood Middle School are tied for the CNMI PSS Teacher Aide of the Year honor, and Jillion Pladevega of Hopwood Middle School is the 2019 CNMI PSS State Counselor of the Year.
The CNMI PSS State Librarian of the Year has yet to be announced.
