Torres: PTSA leadership made stage happen

The leadership of Saipan Southern High School’s Parent-Teacher-Student Association made the school’s stage facility project happen, this according to officials that attended yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony.

The area where the stage will be built, which measures 29 feet by 50 feet, was marked and yellow tape put around it. The stage, which is expected to be completed before the opening of school year 2017, is located at the back of Building C and just across Buildings A and B.

Markers greeted Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Public School System acting commissioner Glenn Muna, PSS Capital Improvement Project program coordinator Rachel Fusco, SSHS principal Martha Kintol, and E-Land and Kensingon Hotel officials Matthew Park and Debra Inos.

Torres made special mention that the project was made possible by the four female members of SSHS’ PTSA—president Glenna SP Reyes, vice president Velma H. Sanchez, secretary Dora Miura, and treasurer Velma I. Mafnas.

“I would like to take a note that the project was led by an all-female group,” said Torres that drew smiles and laughs from the small crows that gathered to witness the groundbreaking ceremony.

“This is a blessing for SSHS to have a persistent PTSA. It would be a great opportunity for all the Southern students to use the facility and it is something to look forward to in the next graduation.”

Muna also commended the PTSA officers for not giving up on the project. “It was three years ago that we had a discussion of the project. The PTSA [of SSHS] met with the board but we were reluctant to give them the blessing unless there’s funding available.”

“They regrouped and started looking for ways to make the project possible. They finally convinced us and now we’re looking forward for August and to finally use the scissors for the ribbon cutting ceremony,” said Muna.

SSHS principal Martha Kintol also recognized the PTSA leadership for spearheading the project. “We won’t be here if not for them but there’s a whole lot more what they did for the school. The students are all excited for this project.”

”One student even came in to my office one day and asked me ‘so Miss Kintol, the stage is really going to be built?’ I have a lot of dreams for the school, and I’m saying to Gov. Torres, Sen. [Sixto] Igisomar, and Rep. [Joseph] Leepan Guerrero thank you in advance for future projects.”

E-Land Group partnered with SSHS in the project by donating $48,500 to finance the construction of the stage. H&H Construction, the contractor for the project, and MDA Enterprises also did their share and contributed more.

An additional 5 feet by 6 feet toilet and shower room, two 18K BTU air conditioning units, four lockers, a drinking fountain, three folding tables, 10 cushioned chairs, special lighting fixture for stage area, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and cleaning and maintenance materials were H&H and MDA’s contributions.

In addition, H&H would construct a 3-foot wide concrete sidewalk around the stage facility, installation of rain and sun blockers on both sides of the stage, landscaping with plants and flowers surrounding the facility, and donating cleaning and maintenance materials.

SSHS and E-Land signed their partnership last June 7. E-Land, which also owns Coral Ocean Golf Resort, has made its presence felt within the surrounding area of the school as they had maintained and repaired two bus shelters and built the Unai Dankulo Beach Park Pavilion.