Island Snapshots – April 2019
- WOMEN’S SUMMIT-The CNMI closed out the celebration of CNMI Women’s Month by staging the 6th Annual Women’s Summit at the Fiesta Resort & spa Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall. First lady Diann Torres and other women from all walks of life in the Commonwealth ended the summit last Friday. The summit, which revolved around the theme: “Lead-HER-Ship: Masters of Our Own Destiny,” tackled concerns such as employment, education, health, environment, and public policy. (Contributed Photo)
- ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, seated sixth left, and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, seated seventh left, joins various members of the community after signing the proclamation declaring April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month yesterday. (Jon Perez)
- START OF SPRING-Northern Marianas College began its spring 2019 semester yesterday, welcoming more than 1,100 students to the campus. Registration for the current semester is continuing. Students were greeted by NMC faculty and staff and mini carnival activities. In addition to their classes, throughout the first two weeks of the semester, the students will be able to join campus clubs, participate in leadership opportunities, obtain free health screenings, and participate in other student activities. For more information about NMC’s academic programs and services, visit www.marianas.edu or email oar@marianas.edu.
- NMC UPDATES Members of the Senate’s Health, Education, and Welfare Committee recently met with Northern Marianas College leaders to discuss the college’s typhoon recovery efforts, future plans, and workforce development programs, including NMC’s nursing program. Among other presenters, the HEW Committee members heard from nursing students and also the CHCC’s director of nursing, who talked about the critical role the NMC nursing program plays as part of the overall hospital’s human resource initiatives. (NMC)
- AGRI TALKS Representatives of the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Service recently met with members of its Agriculture Advisory Council to discuss NMC-CREES’ current efforts to build capacity in agricultural production. The council meets quarterly with NMC-CREES to talk about CNMI farmers’ issues. In the photo are council chair Isidoro Cabrera, seated left, from Saipan and cice chair Jose Dela Cruz, seated right, from Tinian. Council secretary Tom Songsong of Rota was present through video conference. Photo includes, standing left to right, NMC-CREES intern Patrick Sanchez, council member Jesus Castro, council member Sam Palacios, NMC interim president Frankie Eliptico, council member Kevin Barnes, council member Arnold Route, NMC-CREES acting dean Patricia Coleman, council member Lawrence Duponcheel, council member Mark Flores, and council member Peter Camacho. (NMC)
- POLITICAL STATUS MEETING-The Marianas Political Status Commission sat down for the third time yesterday at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room, as they begin to seek out the public’s opinion on the current relationship between the CNMI and U.S. federal government. (Jon Perez)
- FLAME TREE ARTS FESTIVAL-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signs the Flame Tree Arts Festival proclamation with Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios as first lady Diann Tudela-Torres looks on. The cultural heritage of performing arts, traditional crafts, visual arts, and literary arts in the CNMI will be the highlight this week, with April 11 to April 14 named the Flame Tree Arts Festival Week. (Contributed Photo)
- AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH-Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios signs the Autism Awareness Month proclamation yesterday at the CNMI Governor’s conference room as first lady Diann Tudela-Torres watches. (Erwin Encinares)
- PROGRAM EXPANSION-Maryann Borja, Office of the Governor grants manager, cuts the ribbon during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Koblerville Youth Center expansion program yesterday. (Kimberly A. Bautista)
- FLAME TREE FESTIVAL DONOR In this photo is Rob Harrell, IT&E executive director, Customer of Operations, with Flame Tree organizers. “We are excited to join this year’s Flame Tree Festival. Our partnership with the CNMI Humanities Council and the Marianas Visitors Authority is grounded in our dedication to our island’s traditions and helping people share moments that matter,” said Harrell. (Contributed Photo)
- PALM SUNDAY The Catholic faithful gather in front of the altar to have their palm fronds blessed in yesterday’s Palm Sunday celebration at Mt. Carmel Cathedral. Catholics around the world commemorate the event of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem every Palm Sunday. (Jon Perez)
- MARPAC DONATES TO SFA Ambros and Shimbros vice president Paul Shimizu, right, presents a check to Saipan Fishermen’s Association president Gene Weaver on April 1, 2019, at the MARPAC office in Gualo Rai, Saipan, in support of the SFA’s annual Mahi-mahi Fishing Derby and Saipan International Fishing Tournament. Also pictured is MARPAC resident manager Guy Pudney. (Contributed Photo)
- MINI-COURSE WEEK- With the help of Tribe Marianas, a mix of students learned advanced digital filmmaking as part of Mount Carmel School’s annual Mini-Course Week, during which alternative courses are taught students. Mini-Course Week gives junior high and high school teachers and students a chance to take a break from traditional academic instruction and dabble in hobbies and interests that engage students in hands-on learning. (MCS)
- ETC CONTRIBUTION Sung Soo Lim, center, managing director for Wushin Corp., and Wushin marketing manager Elmera Lacap, right, drops by Mount Carmel School to present an Education Tax Credit contribution to school president Galvin Deleon Guerrero, who said, “We thank Mr. Lim and Mrs. Lacap for this contribution, which will support or continuing recovery and rebuilding efforts from Super Typhoon Yutu.” (Contributed Photo)
- LUCKY WINNER Wendell Posadas, left, the eighth winner of Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc.’s giveaway promotion, will be entitled to the Gold Service package at Joeten Motor Co., which includes free oil change, adjustment of tire pressure, 28 multi-point inspections, and other services. Also in the photo are Pacifica staff members Jane Madarang and Jacky Teregeyo. Pacifica Insurance is giving away free car service maintenance gift certificates to 45 lucky winners throughout 2019 to mark its 45th anniversary. For more information about this car service giveaway log on to www.pacificains.com/45years. (Contributed Photo)
- HOMESTEAD LOTTERY-A participant in last Thursday’s homestead lottery signs a document after receiving her assigned lot at the Department of Public Land’s conference room in Dandan. Homestead Division director Irene Torres said there will be another lottery within this year. (Jon Perez)