Four honored as this year’s Governor’s Humanities Awardees

Three individuals and one organization were this year’s recipients of the prestigious Governor’s Humanities Awards sponsored by the Office of the Governor and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council during a ceremony at the Fiesta Resort and Spa Friday night.

The 2011 Governor’s Humanities Awardees are Angelina Yobech as Outstanding Humanities Teacher, Dr. Jennifer McKinnon for the Preservation of CNMI History, the late Joaquin I. Norita for the Preservation of Traditional Cultural Practices, and the Northern Marianas Judiciary Historical Society for Research & Publication in the Humanities.

Yobech, a classroom teacher at Hopwood Jr. High School, was chosen for her commitment to the Council’s Motheread program. She is one of the first certified parent trainers and has spent over 232 weeks and over 464 hours working with 381 parents to teach them “how to build dynamic learning environments in their own homes.”

In an interview after the ceremony, Yobech revealed how surprised and “very, very honored” she felt to be given the award. “It’s what I could do and I think that everybody has something that they could do and have time and talents that they could contribute and if we put all of that together, it makes a big impact in terms of humanities in our community,” she told Saipan Tribune.

McKinnon, director of Studies of the Flinders University Department of Archaeology, served as “the driving force behind the World War II Maritime Heritage Trail,” which chronicles the history of the Battle of Saipan through nine popular dive sites. The Trail “provides a unique dive experience that can be found only in the CNMI,” and is an excellent example of a geotourism project for the islands.

In a statement, McKinnon thanked all agencies, groups, and individuals that were involved in the project and dedicated it “to those Chamorro, Carolinian, American, Japanese, Korean, and Filipino individuals who lost their lives and to those who did not.”

“We hope that through our efforts we may capture and interpret the importance of your participation in such an occasion of world history,” she added. John Castro, former archaeological technician with the Historic Preservation Office, accepted the award on McKinnon’s behalf.

Norita, who was born on Saipan but later moved to Rota, was given the award posthumously “for his celebration of traditional healing and local arts and music and for his commitment to the people and community of Rota.” He passed away 10 years ago due to cancer.

Juan I. Tenorio, Norita’s brother who accepted the award on behalf of their family, said he is very pleased that his brother has been recognized for his many contributions to the island of Rota.

The Northern Marianas Judiciary Historical Society, a non-profit corporation established in November 2003, was recognized for its publication of A Historical Overview, a book that details a history of the islands’ legal structures and the evolution of the rule of law in the Commonwealth. Executive director Jim Stowell accepted the award.

Council board chair Tracy M. Guerrero and press secretary Angel A. Demapan, who represented the governor at the ceremony, presented plaques to the awardees.

“What is exceptionally gratifying for the awardees tonight is that the nominations have come from other members of the community who have recognized the value of your work in the humanities. Through your good deeds and inspiration, someone was so moved that they made the effort to put forth your nomination for statewide recognition,” Demapan said in his remarks.

Council executive director Scott Russell said all the winners deserved their awards. “There’s more people out there, and that’s the purpose of this yearly event, to recognize those people so they get public recognition for it. Hopefully, it will encourage other people to do the same thing.”

Winners of the 8th Annual Sengebau Poetry Competition-Lallane Guiao and Mikhail Alcantara-delivered their winning pieces before being presented with their perpetual plaques at the event.

The Council also recognized outgoing program officer Merced Aldan Ada, who will be leaving to pursue a doctorate in the U.S. mainland.