JKPL’s young readers take to the sands in sculpting competition

Division of Coastal Resource Management staff and Joeten-Kiyu Public Library staff are joined by Miss Earth NMI Crystal Fiona Rio and the library’s Children of the Summer reading program after their sand sculpting competition in honor on the shores of Sandy Beach Homes last Wednesday. (LEIGH GASES)

Young participants of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library Children’s Summer Reading Program took to the shores behind Sandy Beach Homes in Chalan Kanoa last Wednesday, June 8, for a sand sculpting competition that also celebrated CNMI Oceans Day.

Done in partnership with the Division of Coastal Resource Management, the sculptures were judged based on the criteria of being in line with the summer reading program’s theme “Oceans of Possibilities,” which incorporates marine animals, originality and creativity, detail and use of space, and teamwork. The prizes were movie passes and beach chairs.

The first-place winner was the “Bikini Bottom” sculpture made by Stephan Li, Elita Li, Keoni Ruszala, Leilani Ruszala, Keara Crisostomo, David Bercilla and team leaders Miranda Marian and Valerie Naputi. For their prize, they received one item from a display case of toys donated by Lollipops, one $15 gift certificate to 670 Rocksteady, one Docomo Pacific beach chair, and one movie pass sponsored by Friends of JKPL.

The second-place winner was the “Library Turtle” sculpture made by Noah Balisalisa, Evan Balisalisa, Ava Dela Cruz, Jesse Dela Cruz, Grayden Ngiralmau and team leaders Yuteng Chen and Leora Terlaje, who each received one movie pass, courtesy of the Friends of JKPL.

The third-place winner was the “Jelly Fish with the Mask” sculpture made by Tristan Que, Chloe Shin, Dana Hwang, Katherine Hwang, Emma Long, Nia Que, Eldrian Calibo, and team leaders Share Fernando, Pauline Viray, Aaron Cayading, and Chelsea Gozun. They each received one movie pass, courtesy of the Friends of JKPL.

Marlyn Naputi, coral reef initiative communications coordinator from DCRM, said, “This was what we thought was one of the fun ways for us to get together and celebrate the ocean… JKPL’s theme this summer is “Oceans of possibilities’’, while DCRM’s theme is “Our ocean, our responsibility” so I think it was perfect for this collaboration to happen. It’s just a fun way to celebrate June 8, which is World Oceans Day.”

DCRM director Richard Salas thanked the contest organizers. “We’re trying to capitalize on that partnership. When it comes to managing our ocean resources, that’s what our office is mandated to do,” he said. “…t’s important to work with our partners, both public and private and nonprofit to ensure that our common goal here is to protect our resources for our future generations.”