Taisacan, 36 others move to senior high

Sabina Leann Barcinas Taisacan led 36 of her classmates who will be moving up to 9th grade next school year, with Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior/Senior High School having its promotion ceremony on Monday.

Taisacan, the class valedictorian, also received the CNMI State Board of Education and Rota Mayor’s awards.

Taisacan, in her valedictory address, said it has been her dream to finish at the top of her class. “It is such an honor to be standing before you all today…This has always been a dream of mine since I was in 6th grade. But, to be honest, I never thought my dream could come true. I wasn’t always the best nor the brightest student in middle school. I’ve never received as much…awards than others,” added Taisacan.

She sometimes felt that she wasn’t good enough even after bringing home other awards. “I remember bringing whatever award I had home and showing them to my parents.”

“Even though they said I did a ‘good job,’ I still felt like a failure because there was always this thought replaying in my head, saying, ‘You’re not good enough, you’re not smart enough, you’re too dumb to do anything right.’ I tried my best not to believe that recurring thought, but sometimes I would be compared to others, so I eventually gave in to that thought.”

Taisacan overcame her insecurities with the help of her homeroom teacher and friends. “I started becoming strong…even though many still made assumptions and doubted me. I still had my dark days. It took me a long time to realize that there was a rainbow, a rainbow of happiness.”

Class salutatorian Samantha Rose Quitugua Manglona, who received the Commissioner of Education award, said the years that they would spend in high school will be crucial. “Discovering oneself can be scary and intimidating when you have expectations coming at you from every corner. Expectations of having the perfect job in the future, straight A’s, and the list goes on,” she said. “More than ever, it is important that we listen to ourselves. Trust that you know what makes you happy. Success can only be defined by you.”

Manglona also received the science, Chamorro Carolinian Language Heritage Studies, and agriculture subject awards, while Cevon Atalig Calvo was honored with the Principal’s Leadership award as well as the best student in English language arts and social studies.

Xeayda Jahzara Hocog Manglona (math and physical education), Zolekha Liz Sayal Dewan (computer), Alfernee Zett Cruz Manglona (Leadership Corpus), Immaculate Marie Mesngon Maratita (agriculture), Daicia Manglona Charfauros (performing arts), Kirido Barcinas Manglona (honorable mention for English language arts), Jeston Manglona Cabrera (honorable mention for English language arts and math), and Logan Zade Barcinas Taitano (Perseverance Award 16th Rota Municipal Council) were the other students honorees.