McDonald’s Saipan donates $1K to MHS

McDonald’s Saipan’s Natalie Mable Ayuyu and Joe Ayuyu Jr. and Marianas High School vice principal Bobby Cruz pose in front of the counter at McDonald’s Saipan Middle Road branch with staff and students from Marianas High School and staff from McDonald’s. (Erwin Encinares)

McDonald’s Saipan donated $1,000 to the largest high school, population-wise, in the CNMI during a check donation ceremony yesterday at the fastfood company’s main branch along Middle Road.

Middle Road branch manager Joe E. Ayuyu Jr. presented Marianas High School vice principal Bobby Cruz with the $1,000 check that is expected to be used to improve school grounds.

“McDonald’s is very happy to support and donate to such a fine institution like MHS, especially one that helps our kids, as far as AP (Advance Placement) program [is concerned]; we’ve heard that it is excellent,” says Ayuyu.

Ayuyu also mentioned the Aeronautical Dolphins. “And also the Aeronautical Dolphins, we are all for schools improving the infrastructure.” Aeronautical Dolphins won the Real World Design Challenge twice and five times regionally.

Ayuyu stresses that facilities are important, as they are the environment where students are going to learn. “Cleanliness is a very important thing to us here in McDonald’s so we’re excited that the public schools will do their best in bringing the standards up also. We wanna go into the restroom, or for that matter, any classroom feeling comfortable and not feeling that there is a whole bunch of germs,” he said. “[As a student,] I don’t want to come into contact with germs and get sick. Then I won’t be able to attend class, my favorite AP class.”

The community is what makes McDonald’s run, according to Ayuyu. “We look forward to more partnerships and to giving back to the community because at the end of the day the community is what makes us successful.”

“We’re here to serve the community and that’s what we’ll do for as long as we can,” added Ayuyu.

MHS is looking forward to using the money in improving the grounds of the school. Cruz expressed the school’s gratitude toward McDonald’s and other businesses interested in donating.

“MHS is exponentially grateful to businesses that donate to our school, in particular we just want to extend our gratitude and appreciation to McDonald’s. Thank you so much. I can guarantee you that every single cent of this money you are donating is going toward improving student life at our school,” said Cruz.

He recognizes the role of the community in making the school life of students as promising as it could be. “We have many needs and I wish we could say that we have the capacity to independently provide for our students, but we don’t. it truly does take a community. And so we value tremendously your support,” claims Cruz.

Before parting, Cruz thanked Ayuyu once again and declared the money donated would be used with the intention of improving the school for the welfare of the students. “Again, McDonald’s, thank you so much for your willingness to contribute to improving student life at MHS, and we just want to say that we are very grateful. And I promise you that that money would be used purposefully,” said Cruz.