Young Professionals Week ends with July 22 gala

Young Professionals Week kicked off last June 26 with a proclamation signing at the Bridge Capital office. It will end with the White Beach Gala at the Surf Club on July 22.

The gala, which also marks the second anniversary of the group, was rescheduled to July 22 due to weather concerns. Tickets can be purchased from any Events Committee members. Tickets previously bought are still honored for the new date.

For more information, check out MYPros Facebook page at facebook.com/mypros670/.

MYPros director Frank “The Crank” Camacho read the proclamation at the June 26 kickoff, with Senate President Arnold Palacios, at the time the acting governor, signing the proclamation in place of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.

The Young Professionals Week was an educational, social and fundraising opportunity for CNMI young professionals to grow their businesses as well as create lasting contacts while learning solutions to the challenges that face the youth of the CNMI.

The week featured activities and events such as the Personal Finance Mixer at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Bank of Guam Small Business Seminar, Small Business Happy Hour Mixer at Bubba Gump Shrimp, and the MYPros Dunking Booth fundraiser at this year’s Liberation Day celebration.

MYPros fundraising chair Ciara Ada thought the Personal Finance Mixer was one of the most helpful events of the week.

“Despite what we learn in school, there is always a practicality to personal finance that is difficult to learn on your own. This was a very helpful discussion,” Ada said.

The mixer also covered, managing student loan debt, maintaining a healthy credit score, setting financial goals, budgeting, and financial risk protection.

Marianas Young Professionals president Matt Deleon Gurerro participated in the panel discussion at the Bank of Guam Small Business Seminar.

“It’s great to see how many people are interested in opening small businesses. Not only that, it’s inspiring to see those that already have small businesses wanting to contribute to and grow the conversation. Small businesses are the backbone of economic success and only add to our community,” he said.

The Dunking Booth fundraiser event saw MYPros members Ignacio Ada and Benjamin Petersburg volunteering their services, along with MYPros director Frannie Demapan who was a crowd favorite, with the Chinese Taipei Little League team keeping her in the water tank most of the night.

“A big thank you to the hardworking people at the [Saipan] Mayor’s Office as well as the Liberation Committee for their support. We had a blast and we were able to raise funds for future events and seminars to further our young professional community,” said MYPros vice president Nola Hix.