MHS students top Environmental Top Model 2014

The female contestants in their islandwear finery pose while a little tourist takes pictures of the group. (JAYSON CAMACHO)

Two Marianas High School students ran off with both the male and female categories of the Environmental Top Model 2014 competition held Saturday evening at Kanoa Resort’s Isla Café.
After going through three categories of wear, MHS students Daniele Manzanades and Shemer Dael became the two top models for this year’s event. MHS students also won last year.

Other categories included were “Look of the Year,” “Face of the Year,” and Special Awards from event coordinator Sharmaine Casquero.

Grace Christian Academy dominated the other categories. Kelly Hofschneider and Delly Hizon both took the “Look of the Year” plums; Neil Conte and Ga In Park both took “Face of the Year” awards; and Antonio Santos and Kristine Fajardo took the Special Awards.

The winners also got to take home gift certificates from the event’s sponsors.

Manzanades and Dael both got IT&E cell phones and phone cards.

Hofschneider got a gift certificate from 360 Revolving Restaurant and Hizon got a gift certificate from Java Joe’s in Dandan. Park received a gift certificate from 880 Duty Free and Conte received a gift certificate from Saipan Submarine Tours. Santos and Fajardo both received gift certificates from Century Tours.

All 17 candidates had to go through three categories. The first category was island wear, which had them showing off their island style to a cheering crowd. The second category was casual wear. The last category was the most anticipated moment of the night—the trash-wear. It featured eye-popping and dazzling costumes using recycled materials.

Nhemie Kayao designed the trash-wear clothing. Materials that were used was plastic, Styrofoam, styro-plastics, gift wrappers, trash bags, rice sacks, old CDs, feathers, plastic boxes, dryer sheets, tissue, and polymer chains.

Between shows, Saipan Music and Dance Studio students sang and gave dance performances.

Casquero said that the turnout was overwhelming. “This is one of the most anticipated shows every year. I am so happy that a lot of people watched the show, and we at least instill the event’s main objective for our environment.”

“I would also like to thank the sponsors and candidates, because without them this would never be possible,” Casquero added.

The sponsors are 360 Revolving Restaurant, Saipan Submarine Tours, Java Joes, 880 Duty Free, Century Tours, Eric Vandermass, Aquasmith, KFC/Taco Bell, IT&E, Manila de Salon, Yuichiro Printing, Ayana Salon, ASKS Beauty Salon, and Saipan Music Dance Studio.

This year’s event was intended to raise awareness about the importance of the 4Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Respect. (Jayson Camacho)