Hofschneider, Seo top Tinian High graduates

Carlyn Cepeda Hofschneider and Yun Ha Seo emerged as the most outstanding graduates of Tinian Senior High School after being named this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

CARLYN CEPEDA HOFSCHNEIDER
Board of Education Award
Valedictorian

Tinian High School conferred diplomas on 45 seniors this year during a commencement ceremony held Wednesday at the Antonio M. Borja Amphitheatre on Tinian.

This year’s graduation theme was “Every Ending is a New Beginning; This is Ours!” The occasion’s keynote speaker was Kagman High School teacher Chellete Mina Aldan San Nicolas.

The class valedictorian received the prestigious Board of Education Award from BOE chair Herman T. Guerrero, while this year’s salutatorian was named recipient of the Commissioner of Education Award bestowed by Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan and her leadership team.

YUN HA SEO
Commissioner’s Award
Salutatorian

On the Top 10 list are Hofschneider, Seo, Anolica Dantes Anore, Junieva Pajarillo Villarin, Nikkie Oliver Ayuyu, Eric Daniel Medina Hofschneider, Jose Nicholle Dela Cruz Marquez, Maria Pamela Denise Garner Barcinas, Marie Joleen Pascua Cabay, and Anica Frances San Nicolas Dela Cruz.

Three other students were given honorable mention honors: Hermes Deleon Ramos Jr., Nicholas Vincent Hofschneider Ada, and Ellimae Millare Almogela, who was also named the Governor’s Awardee for 2014.

Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz, meantime, bestowed the Mayor’s Outstanding Student Award to Carlyn Cepeda Hofschneider, the class valedictorian.

Pamela Denise Garner Barcinas was named the recipient of the PTSA Outstanding Student award.

In her valedictory address, Carlyn Hofschneider left her peers with this: “As you all transition into life after high school and truly become independent individuals, always remember that it’s the simplicity of life that makes it worth living for. There’s a bigger world out there, bigger than prom, bigger than high school. And it won’t matter if you were the battalion commander, or the president of the school or a club, or even a member of the basketball or volleyball team, find out who you are and don’t be afraid of it. Zombies are coming, the world is ending. But hey, every ending is a new beginning, and this is yours!”

In his congratulatory remarks, BOE chair Guerrero encouraged these young adults to choose the right and best decision for their future.

“This is a new beginning of adulthood and as adults, you are making choices. Good or bad choices or whatever you do choose, choose the best; choose wisely. Don’t hide. It is your life and you need to grow; do great things. Today’s graduation is an important milestone. Stand up for who you are, what you believe in,” he said.

COE Sablan also delivered a meaningful message to the graduates: “Graduates, always remember the ‘Smart Goals’—achievable and measurable… And please do come back to serve the Commonwealth. And when I think about Tinian, it is a great place to live.”