Island Snapshots – April 2021
- WOMEN IN MUSIC-Kaitlyn Balgoa and Tricia Manglona are recognized by first lady Diann Torres, Wella Palacios, and the Women’s Affairs Office on Rota through the Recognition of Women in Music Program for their impact as musicians in the Marianas. The awardees were also joined by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig, 2021 Miss Marianas Savannah Delos Santos, and countless other volunteers and sponsors for their recognition. Congratulations to both women on their contribution to music throughout the Marianas. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
- GOOD FRIDAY TREK-With the Statue of Jesus Christ atop Mt. Tapochau watching over them, many Catholic devotees take panoramic pictures of Saipan and offer prayers last Good Friday before making the trek down the mountain again. Despite the cancellation of the Stations of the Cross on the way up Mt. Tapochau, many Catholic devotees still made their way up the mountain last Friday as part of the traditional Good Friday trek up the mountain. (KRIZEL TUAZON)
- PROFESSIONAL TRAINING-Northern Marianas College recently collaborated with the NMI Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the CNMI Office of the Attorney General, Karidat Social Services, and the Department of Public Safety to provide training on relevant federal and state laws that included topics relating to arrest protocols, enforcement of orders of protection, instructions on making primary aggressor determinations, confidentiality issues, risk assessment for victims, crime scene preservation and evidence collection, and interviewing techniques for victims. The overall effort is to train enforcement personnel to respond effectively in domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases. (NMC)
- TOUR OF MCATS-Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Esther Muna, left, and CHCC Corporate Quality and Performance Management manager Halina Palacios observe an orientation briefing for incoming U.S. Army medics, assigned to 25th Infantry Division, who will support CHCC’s vaccination team in administering COVID-19 vaccines to local community members in Saipan. (U.S. NAVY/BRAD RUSZALA)
- TINIAN HARBOR REPAIR-Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 on Tinian place concrete for the foundation of a mooring bollard at the Tinian Harbor. The repair project will enhance the Port of Tinian for future operations. NMCB 4 is forward deployed throughout the Indo-Pacific region, ready to support major combat operations, theater security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Seabees provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces globally. (PETTY OFFICER 2ND CLASS WENHAN FAN)
- COLLEGE CREDIT-Northern Marianas College interim president Frankie Eliptico, left, signs a memorandum of agreement with Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero, right, for the joint operation of a police academy and the training and education of police cadets. As part of the police academy, cadets receive college credit toward their college degree. The agreement was signed yesterday at NMC. (NMC)
- MES CHAMORU-ASAN, Guam—Rear Adm. John Menoni, commander, Joint Region Marianas, checks out a cultural display with Annie Fejeran, financial technician, at JRM headquarters in Asan. The display, prepared by JRM staff, highlighted local weaving, fruit and treats in honor of CHamoru Month, which celebrates the history and heritage of the people of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. (U.S. NAVY/SHAINA O’NEAL)
- From left, Emergency Medical Services Chief Tom Manglona, Special Operations Chief James Scribner, and Regional Fire Chief Russell Tarver of Joint Region Marianas Fire and Emergency Services, partake in a spread of local dishes in celebration of CHamoru Month at JRM headquarters. CHamoru month, observed in March, highlights the history and heritage of the people of Guam and the CNMI. (U.S. NAVY/SHAINA O’NEAL)
- A display of woven items, local fruits and foods, welcomes visitors at Joint Region Marianas headquarters in Asan. The display was prepared by JRM staff in honor of CHamoru Month. (U.S. NAVY/SHAINA O’NEAL)
- SALVATION ARMY DRIVE-Members of the Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1560 gather for a photo with C.J. Urquico, The Salvation Army Guam Corps public relations and developments coordinator, during a donation delivery at The Salvation Army Guam Corps headquarters in Barrigada, Guam last April 8, 2021. The AFSA members garnered more than 1,800 items through donation drives during the month of March, which totaled to $10,000 in assistance for The Salvation Army. (U.S. AIR FORCE/SENIOR AIRMAN AUBREE OWENS)
- U.S. Air Force airmen from Andersen Air Force Base’s Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1560 donate essential items at The Salvation Army Guam Corps headquarters in Barrigada, Guam, April 8, 2021. (U.S. AIR FORCE/SENIOR AIRMAN AUBREE OWENS)
- U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Monica Mendez, Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1560 member, assists Travis Chanco, a staff member of The Salvation Army Guam Corps, with placing donation items into a cart at The Salvation Army Guam Corps headquarters in Barrigada, Guam, April 8, 2021. (U.S. AIR FORCE/SENIOR AIRMAN AUBREE OWENS)
- U.S. Air Force airmen from Andersen Air Force Base’s Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1560 donate essential items at The Salvation Army Guam Corps headquarters in Barrigada, Guam, April 8, 2021. (U.S. AIR FORCE/SENIOR AIRMAN AUBREE OWENS)
- INCREASED COMMUNITY OUTREACH-Division of Youth Services staff and guests pose with the division’s new vehicles at the Kagman Community Center yesterday. Given the nature of their work and the requirement to intervene in critical situations involving children and families, quick response and staff mobility is critical. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- STARTING ‘EM YOUNG-Tasi to Table Inc. instructors Dan Wollak, standing left, and Derik Reyes Jr., standing right, teach a student how to attach a lure to a fishing line last Saturday during the presentation of fishing rods and other fishing necessities to TTT members at the Kagman High School cafeteria. The equipment were donated by Fishing Tackle and Sporting Goods. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- HALF-STAFF-The flags of the United States, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard at the American Memorial Park Circle of Honor are flown at half-staff yesterday, in accordance with a presidential proclamation that all flags in public properties will be flown at half-staff in memory of the mass shooting victims in Indianapolis, Indiana. The flags will fly half-staff until sunset of April 20. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- WELCOME HOME!-A warn welcome home and hafa adai to U.S. Army Capt. Wes Tomokane, his wife, Arisha, and their kids, Athena Grace and Wessy. They are stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky but are in the CNMI visiting family. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
- FAMILY FUN NIGHT-This indigenous-inspired hut, the centerpiece of the San Vicente Central Park, housed some of the Division of Youth Services’ booths during their Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS-A group of nursing students from the Northern Marianas College pose for a photo at their health screening booth during the Division of Youth Services’ Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. At their tent, a person was able to get their blood pressure and glucose levels checked, and other tests typical of a check-up, free of charge. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- FAMILY FUN NIGHT-One of the Division of Youth Services’ many banners installed around San Vicente Central Park during DYS’s Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. The park’s playground equipment, gazebo, and hut were put to full use during the event. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- Mariah Barcinas, leftmost, and Missy Aldan, second from left, hand out slap bracelets, tops, and information pamphlets at the Division of Youth Services booth during DYS’ Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- Two children play Cornhole at the Division of Youth Services’ Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. The event also had other games and activities, a raffle, and live performances from Hopwood Middle School students, 6LICK S373N Z3R0 Group, and the MHS Glee Club. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- A volunteer hosts a game of “2 pics 1 word” at her booth during the Division of Youth Services’ Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- A centerpiece of the San Vicente Central Park, the hut housed some of the Division of Youth Services’ booths during their Family Fun Night at the San Vicente Youth Center last Friday. (JOSHUA SANTOS)
- ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY-Jeff Cruz, second right, a food and beverage supervisor at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, and his daughter, Jenevieve Cruz, administrative assistant at Kagman High School, are congratulated by Board of Education chair Andrew L. Orsini, right, and vice chair Herman Atalig, left, during last week’s Administrative Professionals Day celebration. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)
- CNMI PSS 2021 State Administrative Support staff Donald San Nicolas of San Vicente Elementary School is flanked by Board of Education vice chair Herman Atalig and BOE chair Andrew L. Orsini.
- Board of Education chair Andrew L. Orsini, Chamorro, Carolinian and Heritage Studies program director Jonas Barcinas, and BOE vice chair Herman Atalig. Barcinas was the masters of ceremony during the CNMI PSS-wide Administrative Professionals Day celebration.
- YOUTH CONFERENCE-A presenter talks to middle school students about additional healthcare resources at the “Chasing Wellness: Navigating Health Services for Teens” booth during the Middle School Youth Conference yesterday at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan’s Hibiscus Hall. Originally a one-day event that happens at the beginning of the school year, the PSS Annual Youth Festival this year is split into a Middle School Youth Conference yesterday, April 29, and a High School Youth Conference today. (JOSHUA SANTOS)