‘NMTI gave us the opportunity to pursue goals’

Northern Marianas Trades Institute Culinary Arts student Presssel Camacho tells her story as to why she enrolled at NMTI in yesterday’s proclamation signing declaring April as the Technical Trades Month in their campus in Lower Base. (Jon Perez)

Three graduates of the Northern Marianas Trades Institute said finishing their respective courses in the non-government learning institution gave them the chance to pursue their goals and at the same time open up opportunities for them to work in the private sector.

Pressel Camacho, Donovan Castro, and Eleanor Tudela-Tenorio recounted their respective experiences in yesterday’s proclamation signing declaring April as Technical Trades Month at NMTI’s campus in Lower Base.

Camacho will be graduating this school year at Kagman High School and has recently attended NMTI’s Culinary Arts course. She said that it was an inspirational experience learning from the likes of Ty Pauling, Inas Hocog, and Ben Babauta Jr.

All three are from Hyatt Regency Saipan with Pauling as the food and beverage director, Hocog the chef de cuisine, and Babauta as sous chef.

“It has been a great opportunity form me and I enjoyed the classes very much. It was inspirational not only because I want to be in the culinary arts but also I was determined to get the knowledge and experience in every aspect in this particular field,” said Camacho.

“I would like to encourage everyone to keep an open mind when considering taking courses at NMTI. NMTI does not only open doors of opportunity, they also guide you every step of the way to make sure each student is given their full potential to climb, excel, and succeed in their respective trade,” she added.

Castro, who started working as a baker at Hyatt last September, told the assembled crowd to just pursue the things you want. “This is my first time to stand in front of you holding a microphone where I’m not going to sing,” he said with a laugh.

Castro is a known singer in the community. “Right now, I’m performing in a totally different stage. I enjoy working with a good team behind me and the lessons I learned at NMTI made my transition from singing to baking a lot easier.”

Tenorio, on the other hand, proved that age is not a hindrance in learning new things. “I’m very grateful that I had the opportunity to enroll at NMTI and complete my certification and training in the hotel and restaurant program.”

“NMTI has made my lifelong career passion in the hospitality industry a reality. I’m now employed at the Hyatt Regency Saipan as a guest service officer. I encourage our CNMI leaders to continue to support NMTI.”

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed the proclamation. Senate vice president Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), Sens. Sixto K. Igisomar (R-Saipan) and Justo S. Quitugua (Ind-Saipan), House Speaker Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan), Vice Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Reps. B.J. Attao (Ind-Saipan), Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), Joseph Lee Pan Guerrero (R-Saipan), Felicidad T. Ogumoro (R-Saipan), Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan), Antonio P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Vinnie E. Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Ray A. Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan), Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), and Ray Yumul (Ind-Saipan), Cabinet secretaries James Ada (Public Works), Edith Deleon Guerrero (Labor), Marianne Teregeyo (Public Lands), Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, and Saipan and Northern Islands Council chair Antonia Tudela and cice chair Alicia Igitol were also present during the signing.