Previous Story
MCS alumni form AlumKnight Association
-
- The AlumKnight Association’s Program Committee meet to plan the program for the upcoming “Night with the Knights,” the school’s annual AlumKnight fundraising banquet. Clockwise from bottom lef, Victor Cabrera, Cyji Cepeda, Helene Manning, Priscillla Dela Cruz, and James Benavente. (Contributed Photo)
-
- The official banner for Mount Carmel School’s “Night with the Knights,” its annual AlumKnight fundraising banquet. The blue color reflects one of the school’s official colors while the balls of light symbolize the light that the school’s AlumKnights bring to their communities. (Contributed Photo)
Mount Carmel School takes great pride in its rich legacy of alumni, many of whom have garnered admission into some of the world’s colleges and universities and have distinguished themselves as noted leaders in business, government, and the community. Known as “AlumKnights” after the school’s mascot, these successful individuals are now giving back to their alma mater with the recently formed Mount Carmel School AlumKnight Association, headed by AlumKnight Charles V. Cepeda.
For Cepeda, it’s all about giving back. “I attended here and I want to see it flourish.” Recalling how difficult he was at times, he said, “I owe it to all the principals and teachers who were patient with me, especially while I was here for my formative years. …This is where my roots are.”
Cepeda’s daughter also graduated from Mount Carmel School and now his grandson is a knight. This motivates him to build a stronger link between AlumKnights and knights. “We want other AlumKnights to support their alma mater, but we also want them to connect more with current students, whether it be at sporting events, drama shows, or just being on campus. …It’s important that the students today see their past, and that AlumKnights see where the school is today.”
True to his word, Cepeda and the association have begun planning the association’s first signature event, the annual Night with the Knights fundraising banquet, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 4, at Pacific Islands Club. The Night with the Knights will be the culminating celebration of Catholic Schools Week 2017. The night will feature a music video montage of the school’s history, raffle prizes, and entertainment.
The event will also include the announcement of the 2017 AlumKnight of the Year. Formerly known as the Distinguished Graduate Award, qualifications for the prestigious award were expanded to include AlumKnights who spent at least four consecutive years at the school. Past awardees include:
• Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan, the CNMI’s Delegate to Congress,
• Former governor Benigno Fitial (1964)
• Former lieutenant governor and retired justice Jesus C. Borja (1967)
• The late governor Eloy Inos (1967)
• Former representative Felicidad Ogumoro (1968)
• Architect and entrepreneur, Efrain F. Camacho (1969)
• School leader Rita Kazuma-Guerrero (1969)
• Merced Marcie M. Tomokane (1973)
• Attorney Lucia Blanco-Maratita (1977)
• Former lieutenant governor Diego T. Benavente (1978)
• Attorney Brien Sers Nicholas (1979)
• Physician Dr. Norma Ada (1984)
• School leader Dr. Aflred Ada (1986)
• Educator Dr. Debra Tudela Cabrera (1988)
• Educator Dr. Dora Borja Miura (1990)
• Educator Galvin Deleon Guerrero (1991)
• Law professor Rose Cuison-Villazor (1991)
• Educator Elaine Cabrera DelaCruz (1997)
• Former representative, journalist, and community activist Christina Marie Sablan (1999)
Tickets for the Night with the Knights are $50 each and can be purchased at the school’s Business Office or from AlumKnights. For more information, call 234-6184 or email Priscilla Dela Cruz at presdelacruz@gmail.com. (MCS)
