Joeten foundation awards $16K scholarships to 8 student

Joeten Daidai Foundation officials pose with scholarship recipients last June 12, 2023, in the executive conference room of Joeten Susupe at Joeten Shopping Center. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The Joeten Daidai Foundation awarded a total of $16,000 in scholarships to eight deserving recipients last June 12, 2023, in the executive conference room of Joeten Susupe located at Joeten Shopping Center.

Each recipient was awarded $2,000 to assist them on their initial journey to college.

The eight awardees are Anthony Jacob C. Deleon Guerrero of Marianas High School, Matthew G. Ernest of Marianas High School, Mylan E. Goodwin of Marianas High School, Leunyce B. Regalado of Mount Carmel School, Jesus T. Sablan of Saipan International School, YuriHana DLG. Sasamoto of Mount Carmel School, Leilani Isa M. Taisacan of Marianas High School, and Ryan Michael Nuera of Tinian Junior Senior High School.

“This year was perhaps the most competitive in all the years I’ve been involved,” said Foundation director Patty T. Palacios. “There were so many impressive applicants from all backgrounds. What our board seeks in an applicant is an overall, well-rounded student and we certainly received that today.”

Each student was tasked to write an essay based on a quote from Aristotle, “Educating the head without educating the heart is no education at all.” In addition to the essay, all qualifying candidates listed their accolades, extracurricular activities, and provided other requirements to complete the application process.

One scholarship recipient unable to be present at the check presentation, Ryan Michael Nuera, expressed his gratitude, “I would like to thank the foundation for this great opportunity and for this scholarship. This scholarship is a great help and will take me a step closer to my future goals in financing any necessities and things I will need for my college education. Again, I would like to thank the foundation for this scholarship, especially giving opportunities to the students from the Northern Marianas Islands where we are limited, sometimes hindering us on the playing field compared to students from the [U.S.] mainland. However, with opportunities like the Joeten Daidai Foundation, the gap gets much closer. Thank you again for this opportunity I greatly appreciate it and thank all of you for choosing me as a recipient.”

The philanthropic arm of Joeten enterprises, the Joeten Daidai Foundation was established in 1994 from a vision of the late Jose “Joeten” C. Tenorio and his wife, Soledad “Daidai” Tenorio, as a means of giving back to the local community. The foundation has been greatly supported by the generosity of Joeten affiliates such as Saipan Shipping Co., Saipan Stevedore Co., Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Inc. among many lifelong business partners of Joeten. (PR)