NMIS is top winner; Chacha repeats in float contest

Chacha Oceanview Middle School successfully defended their title in the Best Float category but Northern Marianas International School went home with the most number of awards during last Saturday’s 2015 Christmas in the Marianas Festival at the Paseo de Marianas.

Chacha’s float entry aboard a 40-foot trailer stood out among the entries. It was colorfully adorned with boxes of gifts, toys, candy canes, and a Christmas tree while kids were dressed as toy soldiers or Santa’s Little Helpers.

Chacha’s winning entry last year was an island floral-themed Christmas float.

This year, the Kagman-based school was the runaway winner with the judges giving them 93 points against the 65 and 63 of NMIS and Koblerville Elementary School

Kagman Elementary School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Marianas High School, and NMIS elementary received consolation prizes in the float contest.

NMIS, however, stole the show as they collected a total cash prize of more than $8,000 built around two top finishes, two runner up position, and one third place.

NMIS ruled the Christmas tree making contest in the elementary division, which has a $5,000 cash prize donated by RNC Construction through an education tax credit. Its middle school students then topped the caroling competition.

Green Meadow School and Mt. Carmel School finished second and third in the Christmas tree elementary division.

NMIS middle school beat Chacha by two points as the former earned 60 against the latter’s 58. Hopwood Middle School was a distant third with 42.

NMIS also had second place finishes in the tree making and float (middle school) while its elementary students came in third in the Christmas caroling contest.

NMIS vice principal Jener Pineda said the money will help in the daily operations of their school and will also be used to support their students who will be joining off-island academic competitions.

“This is only our second time to join since the school is only on its third year. Last year we finished second in the Christmas tree competition. I thank the overwhelming support of the administration staff, teachers, and the parents,” said Pineda.

“The money will be a big help for our operations and for school improvement and other facilities. Plus some of the money will also be used by the students in several competitions like the regional spelling bee in Guam.”

MHS ruled the middle and high school division of the Christmas tree contest with Chacha coming in at third. Both winning trees—MHS and NMIS (elementary)—will be displayed at the lobby of the Francisco C. Ada International Airport.

Green Meadow (elementary) and Saipan Southern High School had the most number of participants in Health Walk while MHS and Koblerville Elementary School topped the Christmas costumes category.

SSHS, Kagman High School, and MHS were 1-2-3 in the Christmas caroling contest while Oleai Elementary School, which sang a capella, beat Koblerville Elementary School by one point (58-57).

NMIS (47), San Vicente Elementary School (45), Green Meadows (42), Kagman Elementary School (38), and WST (36) complete the list in the Christmas carol contest.

All winners will have one year of bragging rights to become the first winners of the perpetual trophy, which will be returned for next year’s competitions.

KKMP radio, KKMP Foundation, Marianas Visitors Authority, Team PDI, Friends of Paseo de Marianas, Best Sunshine CSR team, CHCC-DPH-Community Guidance Center, Kan Pacific-Mariana Resort & Spa, DCCA-Division of Youth Service, DPS-DDD-DPS CIOT, G4S, Honest Profit LLC, Department of Commerce–ABTC, DLNR Fish & Wildlife, BECQ-Coastal Resources Management Division, IT&E, T Galleria DFS, Commonwealth Ports Authority, Bridge Capital, Docomo Pacific, DPS Boating Safety, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Skywalker Communications Group, Kanoa Resort, CHCC-DPH-MCH, Bank of Saipan, DCCA Arts Council, Joeten Enterprises, Commonwealth Office of Transport Authority, CHCC-DPH-NCD, MARPAC, Dial Rent-to-Own, Pacifica Insurance, Saipan Awadori, Saipan Domatsuri, DPL, DPS, DFEMS, and DPW were the sponsors and partners of the 14th edition of the annual event.