Sahagun, Cabrera top MHS graduates

  Ageline Sahagun and Rachel Renee Cabrera emerged as this year’s most outstanding students of Marianas High School and were bestowed the highest academic recognitions during commencement exercises this week on campus.

Sahagun was presented with the prestigious Board of Education Award as class valedictorian, while Cabrera was awarded the Commissioner’s Award as class salutatorian.

Sahagun, the daughter of Ruben and Yolanda Sahagun, will pursue college at the Guam Community College where she will take up biological engineering. After a year, she plans to transfer to the University of Hawaii to continue her studies.

In her valedictory address, the 18-year-old expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and mentors for their guidance, care, and support. She wished her fellow graduates “good luck.”

“Whatever comes next, let’s be true to ourselves. Don’t focus so much on the perfect opportunity that you miss the right ones. The screw-ups and mistakes don’t stop here. Never let the past define who you are now. Never let the present define who you are in the future, because trust me, it all can change,” Sahagun told her peers.

Cabrera echoed these sentiments as she urged her peers to keep striving for their future. She also recognized her family, teachers, and peers for their guidance and inspiration.

She was personally presented her award by Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan.

MHS conferred diplomas to 232 graduates this school year. On the Top Ten List were Sahagun, Cabrera, Riya Nathrani, Phoebe Zhou, Kimberly Vitug, Michelle Ngirbabul, Mark Christopher Echaure, Liamwar Rangamar, Genevieve Alexa Gottwald, and Deveney Dela Cruz.

The Governor’s Award, presented by Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos, was bestowed on Michelle Ngirbabul, who also emerged as this year’s Gates Millennium Scholar. She was also presented Monday with a commendation from Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan.

MHS principal Cherlyn Cabrera presented the Principal’s Award to Marylyn Waing.

Prior to the graduation ceremonies, awards and recognitions were also handed out to other deserving graduates, among them Michael Roberto Moran, who received both the President’s Education Award for academic achievement and the Distinguished Athlete Award given by the U.S. Marine Corps.

Graced by members of the education board led by chair Marylou Ada, the ceremony was keynoted by Joey and Elizabeth Elger.