Omar, 27 others complete nursing assistant program

Fariha Omar led 27 of her classmates in Cohort 6 in completing the close to two-year training under Saipan Southern High School’s nursing assistant program. The pinning and path of light ceremony was held last Saturday at Saipan World Resort’s Royal Taga Hall.

Omar, who will also be part of SSHS’ graduating class of 2016 on June 1, was the top performer of Cohort 6. Marchie Fernandez and Hannah Hofschneider were tied as second best.

Shirin S. Aktar, Omar’s mother, said she wasn’t expecting her daughter to win the award and was surprised she wound up as the class topnotcher.

“All of her studies and hard work finally paid off. We are really surprised to learn that she was the one who is going to receive the award. We’re proud of her achievement,” said Aktar, who is originally from Bangladesh.

“It is up to her if she wants to continue to take nursing in college or another course. We’re just going to support her decision,” added Aktar, whose other daughter, Noshin, is in Cohort 7.

SSHS principal Martha Kintol congratulated the Cohort 6 members, who will also be graduating next week. “Whatever your future goals just continue moving forward. Congratulations to all of you and I wish you nothing but the best in all of your future plans.”

She added that if most of them are planning to take nursing in college, they should come back and share what they’ve learned. “This is only my second year as [SSHS] principal but I want you to come back here and take care of me and your parents.”

Losana Rogoyawa, whose daughter Serafina was also part of Cohort 6, was the keynote speaker. She encouraged all students to strive for the better whatever path they take in life until they reach their goals.

“Some of you may continue on as a nurse and some of you may partake a different path. But wherever you go, whatever you want to become, you must decide to transform your environment into the paradise you want to lie in,” said Rogoyawa.

“You all have many years ahead of you, you cannot do it alone. Work together. Do not let you weaknesses pull you down, we are only complete when we work together,” added the registered midwife at the Commonwealth Health Center.

Five students were also given the Pillar of Excellence awards. Annika Matias and Hui Lun Yu were the recipients in Communication; Ji Sun Li for Holistic Care; Martin Kapileo for Leadership; and Rhea Banados for Professionalism.