Island Snapshots – March 2015
- NEW AIRPORT SIGNAGE: The Tinian Mayor’s Office is currently working on the signage outside the exit of the Tinian International Airport road. Tinian’s community workers are seen here painting, digging, and replacing the old sign. (Jayson Camacho)
- MARKING THE BIG SIX-OH: Malou Mendoza, fifth back, is surrounded by Northern Marianas Badminton Association officials and members during her 60th birthday celebration last Saturday at Fiesta Resort & Spa’s Hibiscus Hall. (Contributed Photo)
- MATSON DONATION: Matson liaison Maritess Yumul, right, presents a generous donation from the Matson Foundation to Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance’s Brooke Nevitt. (Contributed Photo)
- LENTEN REFLECTION: Fr. Ike Ayuyu, Pastor of Santa Soledad, join with the parishes of San Vicente (Fr. Jason) and San Roque (Fr. Tinong) to celebrate the “Come Back to Life: Make Your Heart Firm” message from Pope Francis for Lent 2015 and the Healing of Families with the Healing Cross and Anointing of the Head. (Contributed Photo)
- IDEAL DAY A tourist couple enjoys a walk along the beach after spending time trying Saipan’s various water sports activities. In the background is the famous Managua Island. (Jon Perez)
- MHS NHS JOINS BEAUTIFY MY MARIANAS Twenty-five members of the Marianas High National Honor Society join the Marianas Visitors Authority’s Beautify My Marianas program on Feb. 21, 2015, collecting eight bags of trash from Sugar Dock in Chalan Kanoa to Pakpak Beach in San Antonio. The Beautify My Marianas program offers $100 for each 1-mile cleanup in assigned areas. For more information or an application, visit the MVA homepage at www.mymarianas.com. (Contributed Photo)
- WALKATHON DONORS Peter Stewien, center, general manager of Strategic Gaming Solutions, Inc. dba Club C, presents a check for $500 to American Red Cross NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh, left, and Red Cross board chair Tayna Belyeu-Camacho in support of the upcoming Red Cross Walkathon. Stewein said his ownership team feels strongly about supporting local community focused organizations and are very pleased to be supporting the Red Cross. (Contributed Photo)
- PHI again supports the NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross. For more than 15 years PHI has provided financial and in-kind support to the local Chapter. This year they presented $700 in cash and in-kind store gift certificates. Under the leadership of Bruce Cohen, PHI has been a major supporter of not only the Red Cross but many other civic and community focused organizations. Photo shows, from left, Claudine Atalig, Bruce Cohen, John Hirsh, and Mel Borja. (Contributed Photo)
- NMC CHARTER DAY A group of hip-hop dancers took to the stage last year during NMC’s Charter Day celebration at the Northern Marianas College. This year’s Charter Day will be on Friday, March 20, 2015, and will also feature the highly anticipated Marianas Idol competition and many other performances. (NMC)
- SMALL WONDERS A wasp prepares to enter the nest it built on a sign going to Bird Island in Marpi. (Jon Perez)
- COMPLETION CEREMONIES CNMI Motheread/Fatheread offers classes to Adult Basic Education students in partnership with the Northern Marianas College, the Garapan Community Development Center, and the Commonwealth Women’s Association. On Friday, March 13, a total of 10 students successfully completed their Motheread/Fatheread classes facilitated by parent trainer Beth Demapan at the Garapan Community Development Center: Malcolm Amandus, Fernando Torres, Jasmine Taman, Kerolina Rios, David Rios, Martin Omar Jr.,Doris Evangelista,, Merosina Evangelista, Peter Lizama, and Eric Cabrera. Story Exploring instructor Nasha Reyes facilitated the Story Exploring session with students MarSario and Davelina Rios in attendance. A special thank you to Rep. Felicidad Ogumoro and Debra Inos for their partnership and support. (Contributed Photo)
- On March 23, 2015, CNMI Motheread/Fatheread hosted a completion celebration at Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School with parent trainer Amor Rabauliman and Story Exploring instructor Evangeline Espanola. Six parents completed the program: Matilda C. Camacho, Jessette Rufila, April Liske-Clark, Bianca Camille R. Espinosa, Tersha T. Tersiro, and Brenda Lynn C. Lucido. Nine children successfully completed the Story Exploring Program: Tharese Apura, Pyper Liske-Clark, Brianna Espinosa, Brandon Tesiro, Tyana Tesiro, Albrent Lucido, Daven Lucido, and Michelle Belensosa. GTC principal Raena Bermudes, librarian Hilma Castro, and the GTC Binadu family sponsored the Motheread Fatheread in the school. Thank you Northern Marianas Humanities Council for another successful Motheread Fatheread session at GTC. (Contributed Photo)
- CNMI Motheread/Fatheread offers classes to Adult Basic Education students in partnership with the Northern Marianas College and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. This spring seven students completed their Motheread/Fatheread classes at the JKPL facilitated by parent trainer Bryan Manabat: Angel Ichihara, Jolynn Wabol, Nelissa Mendiola, Athens Amaro, Joseph Fukuichi, and Bernice Sanchez, and Vicenta G. Sanchez. (Contributed Photo)
- CNMI Motheread Fatheread completion ceremony at Oleai Elementary School on March 17th, 2015. Oleai Elementary School administration, parent trainer Celina Foreman, Story Exploring instructor Margie Sugaste, Team CNMI Motheread/Fatheread and the Northern Marianas Humanities Council made this event possible. Congratulations, Parents: Pinelope Gail Ibanez, Merly Mercado, Soyang Kim, Lilia Labarda, Myron Laniyo, Charlyn Francisco, and Josephine Bernabe. And Hip hip hooray to their children: Ethan Juriel Ibanez, Elijah Fitial, Elisha Fitial, Sunny Hyun, Dustin Hyun, Kailani Laniyo, Jee Lee, Syra Argana, and Jerick Russell Bernabe! A special thank you to Oleai Elementary School Principal Jasylene Parico and the OES turtle family for their continued support and partnership! (Contributed Photo)