15 schools decorate Paseo de Marianas

At least 15 private and public schools and groups in the CNMI will gather at the Paseo De Marianas today to spiff up the area with Christmas decorations.

Division of Environmental Quality public information officer Reina Camacho said the project is part of the first Christmas Festival that will be held in Garapan.

The project is spearheaded by Paseo de Marianas Promoters Inc. Spokesperson Misako Kamata said the group is a non-profit corporation that was set up to erase the negative perceptions of Saipan, especially the Garapan district.

“The project aims to promote it as a safe and healthy area for the local community and tourists, being a family-oriented place,” said Kamata.

The competition, dubbed “A Green Christmas for the Children of the Marianas,” also intends to infuse the spirit of Christmas in the hearts of children despite the hard economic situation, and for them to learn the importance and value of recycling.

The contest was opened to all elementary school on Saipan from Head Start to 6th grade. The schools participating are: CNMI Head Start Program, Early Intervention Program PSS, Garapan Elementary School, George T. Camacho Elementary School, Grace Christian School, Kagman Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, Oleai Elementary School, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, San Antonio Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Sister Remedios ECDC, and Tanapag Elementary School.

Camacho said that Saipan Southern High School would also be participating in the event but in the non-competitive category.

The schools will start decorating the Paseo de Marianas from 1pm to 6pm today. Judging for the decorations will be held tomorrow from 6pm to 7pm. The winners of the tree decoration contest will be named on Dec. 21, from 6pm to 9pm.

Camacho said participants should use only recyclable materials for the decorations. Their entries will be judged based on: use of recycled materials, relevance to holiday theme, attractiveness, creativity and design, and durability for outdoor conditions. The trees will be displayed at the Paseo for about a month.

The contest coincides with the Stamp Rally Campaign, also organized by PDM Promoters, Inc. The sponsors for this event are Capricciosa and Tony Roma’s Restaurants, Chung Gi Wa Restaurant, Coco Restaurant, Coconut Tei Restaurant, Country House and Moby Dick Restaurants, E’sy Kitchen Restaurant, Furusato Restaurant, Keeraku and Rakuen Restaurants, Kinpachi Restaurant and Convenience Kinpachi, Kaiten Shinsen Sushi and Seoulen Restaurant, Kaizoku Restaurant Garapan, Mitsue’s Restaurant, Moomin Mura Restaurant, Tori Hide Restaurant, ABC Stores, ANANAS, Agatha Paris Saipan, Beach Deli Mart / Asian Accent, Buti Collections (H & H Handbags), Caronel Watch, Muse and Cinnamon, Made in Saipan, Papaya and Sports America, SEAS’ and Toninos 1, USA Discount Store Crazy Toys and Big Boyz Marine Sports.

“We are in partnership with Beautify CNMI!’s Tina Sablan, Reina Camacho and Angelo Villagomez. We also have full support from Rep. Absalon V. Waki, Marianas Visitors Authority, DLNR Parks & Recreation Division, DPS, CUC & Hafadai Publishing Corporation,” said Kamata.

For more information contact Kamata of PDM Promoters at 234-8297/6200 or email her at kinpachi@pticom.com.