Lacorte, Aldan lead new graduates of NMA

  Joy B. Lacorte and Sunny Frank L. Aldan were bestowed their school’s highest honors during the graduation ceremony for the Northern Marianas Academy at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center on May 16.

Of the five graduates, Lacorte was the class valedictorian while Aldan the salutatorian. Both students, who were dually enrolled at the Northern Marianas College, also received their Liberal Arts diplomas.

Lacorte, the eldest of three children of Ernie and Jo Lacorte, was consistently on the President’s List for both NMA and NMC. With her perfect 4.0 GPA, she was one of the recipients of the Academic Excellence awards at the community college-the only high school student to achieve that honor, says NMA principal Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong.

Besides her academic studies, the 16-year-old Lacorte was also involved in extra-curricular activities and community service. She was a member of NMC’s Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, NMA Student Council officer, CNMI Youth Congress member, student mentor for the NMC Learning in Communities Program, a participant in the 2011 Pacific Youth Conference, and the CNMI representative to the 2012 Micronesian Youth Services Network Regional Conference in Koror, Palau. She is also involved in the Saipan Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Lacorte acknowledged a lot of people who played a role in her academic success-her family, her school adviser and teachers, her church family, and God.

“It was a lot of hard work, many almost all-nighters, and prayers,” she told Saipan Tribune. “Now, I’m thankful and proud that all the hard work has come to fruition.”

Lacorte will continue studying at NMC, this time to finish the college’s nursing program. She plans to pursue a career in the medical field and is thinking of going to Pacific Union College or La Sierra University in California, Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, or Walla Walla University in Washington.

“For now, I’ll study at NMC because it’s close to home and is more affordable,” she said, adding that she plans to apply for all possible scholarships to support her studies.

Lacorte advised other high school students to plan, prepare, and be ready to give their all. “You have to be willing to push the boundaries and to do more than what is expected of you, to find the motivation that will drive you to it and really feel the accomplishment in the end. Make sure to do it with a smile,” she added.

Sunny Frank L. Aldan was told about being the salutatorian a few days before graduation and kept it a secret from her family up until the graduation ceremony.

“When I went up on stage, I couldn’t read my speech and I ended up speaking straight from the heart,” she said.

Becoming class salutatorian didn’t come easy for the 18-year-old. Aldan revealed that she was close to giving up because of all the pressure and challenges, having had to separate her school life from her social life.

“But it was my family that pushed me to go on. The efforts that I put in, they’re all worth it,” said the youngest of four daughters of Francisco and Ursula Aldan.

Like Lacorte, Aldan was also deeply rooted in extracurricular activities and community service. She was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, a member of the 11th and 12th CNMI Youth Congress, NMA Student Council officer, a member of the school volleyball team, and CNMI representative to the Micronesian Youth Services Network.

Aldan has been accepted at the Chaminade University, which has awarded her a $4,000-transfer grant. She thanked NMC for giving her “a good start” and her parents for their unwavering support.

“Take advantage of every opportunity you have,” Aldan advised younger high school students in the CNMI. “In the end, it’s all going to be worth it.”