Johnson and Bautista are truly anchored home

The CNMI is recognizing young professionals this week with the proclamation of June 26-July 1, 2017 as Young Professionals Week.

The proclamation recognizes that the youth are an integral piece of the CNMI’s current workforce: economic, social and cultural future.

Saipan Tribune was able to talk to Kristal Ann Johnson and Kevin Bautista, two inspirational young professionals who had the opportunity to study outside of the CNMI, had the chance to flourish in any part of the world of their choosing and through it all, still chose to come back to Saipan.

They came back not thinking that opportunities will be less and their degree and experience off-island will lose its value.

Both are also members of the MyPros and Saipan Young Professionals.

Johnson works as an educator at Koblerville Elementary School. She graduated from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii and was a product of the CNMI Public School System.

Awarded as Koblerville Teacher of the Year in 2016, Johnson loves seeing her students grow and further their education.

“I chose to come back because I knew that if I wanted to grow as an educator, I had to start where I was from. I didn’t just want to teach, I wanted to inspire. I wanted young children to see that even people like us, people like me, from this tiny island, we could help each other succeed in life.”

Kevin Bautista, for his part, works as the acting press secretary for the Office of the Governor. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a double minor in History and Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies and was a product of Mount Carmel High School.

“When I graduated from high school back in 2011, I was a wide-eyed kid and very excited to leave the island for more opportunities. But in all my experiences off-island and being away from home taught me how blessed I am to be from the CNMI.”

Both Johnson and Bautista have seen friends and schoolmates venture out and decide to pursue careers outside of the CNMI.

“The saying ‘we have very little to offer; is something I would’ve agreed with 18 years ago when I was 10. But today, I see the growth. I see the switch and the changes. If we could get our youth to see it to, and change their perspective on life here, I believe they would prefer to come home,” said Johnson.

Bautista has similar thoughts why many graduates do not come back.

“I think many graduates and young professionals choose to stay off-island because they believe that there isn’t a lot of opportunities here at home. But there are many steps being undertaken by this administration and the young professional organizations here on island to mitigate that. Our CNMI Scholarship Office has plans in place to give incentives to recent graduates to come back home and not just professionally develop here, but really make an impact on our community”.

As someone who came back to the CNMI with the right tools—education and experience—optimism is still their driving factor.

According to Johnson, the main skill she acquired from her time off-island is humility. “I learned that without understanding how important that is, you will not be able to reach your full potential. All we can do is be productive and positive citizens.”

“To the young professionals, you are the change we need. We need you to change your minds and your hearts. Our love for this island is not enough to change it, but if we put all that heart behind the knowledge you have gained from meeting people and learning we could be the spark that ignites the fire in others to join and support the change we want to see.”

“I believe the ongoing development of Saipan provides recent graduates and young professionals with more of an incentive and motivation to pursue their passions. I chose to come back to Saipan because this truly is home. Michigan and D.C. are a part of my identity, but they didn’t fully represent my definition of home. This is home, and it’s great to be back and working for governor Torres and his administration,” Bautista said.

“I believe in the spirit of inafa’maole—doing good for others. It’s rare to find a place like Saipan where everyone is so close and convey this real sense of interdependence.” Bautista added.