SSHS seniors to graduate on new stage next year

Kensington Hotel president and general manager Myung Wook “Matthew” Park, second right, signs the memorandum of agreement between E-Land and Saipan Southern High School in the construction of the school’s stage. Looking on is SSHS Parent-Teacher-Student Association Dora Miura, right, while CNMI State Board of Education chair Herman Guerrero, second left, and Edcuation Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan look on. (Jon Perez)

Saipan Southern High School’s incoming senior students will be the first batch that will use a fully functioning stage facility when they graduate next year. The project, made possible by SSHS’ Parent-Teacher-Student Association, is in partnership with E-Land Group.

The stage, which measures 29 feet by 50 feet, will be located at the back of Building C and just across Buildings A and B. Construction will begin on or after June 11,with the eight-week project expected to be finished before the opening of school year 2017.

SSHS principal Martha Kintol said the stage is something that their school needs and it would be used for all of their events like concerts by the multi-awarded Manta Ray Band and graduation ceremony next year.

“We’ve been working with the project for a number of years and now we found a partner. I speak in behalf of all the students and parents, we are very thankful for E-Land’s support. Our seniors will have something to use when they graduate next year,” said Kintol.

She added the partnership with E-Land, which owns Coral Ocean Golf Resort that is SSHS’ next-door neighbor, would also cover the environmental aspect with the students working to keep the beach side clean.

The area is just across Unai Dankulo Beach Park Pavilion beachside near 18th hole of the Coral Ocean golf course.

“We will adopt the area. We will be working in keeping the beach side and the surrounding areas clean. Again, we thank E-Land in granting our request,” added Kintol.

Kensington Hotel president and general manager Myung Wook “Matthew” Park, who is also Coral Ocean’s GM, said their gesture is E-Land’s way of giving back to the community especially to SSHS students, who are the CNMI’s future.

“As a part of our [Corporate Social Responsibility] plans on the improvement of the educational facility, E-Land is more than happy to be committed to donate $48,500 for the construction of the stage at SSHS,” said Park.

“I believe that the donation of the entertainment stage to SSHS will support our students’ success in our community and help them achieve their full potential,” said Park, who added that they would give back 10 percent of their two hotels’ net profit back to the community.

“But first, we must make profit,” Park said that earned laughs from the small group of people who witnessed the event including Board of Education chair Herman Guerrero, Education Commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, and SSHS PTSA president Glenna SP Reyes.

Guerrero said that they are thankful for E-Land answering the call of helping SSHS with the stage. “We always look at ways to have community partner with our schools. The government is challenged to provide financial aid to address the needs of our school. This is a wonderful contribution given by E-Land.

Commissioner Sablan added that yesterday was an historic moment for SSHS with their partnership with E-Land for the stage project. “The stage will be useful for many events of the school. Thank you to E-Land and to SSHS’ PTSA officers for making it happen.”