Representing students at the PSS Board

Newly appointed PSS student representative to the Board of Education, Francine Therese Roberto Babauta, shares her thoughts about the challenging tasks that she will assume for public school students. This 16-year-old is a junior at Saipan Southern High School and is the junior class treasurer.

She is also a part of the National Honor Society and the Manta Ray Girls Varsity Basketball team. For her, becoming the overall student rep to the board is a lifetime achievement.
The youth leader loves doing community service as she believes that the happiness that comes with giving is 10 times better than the happiness that comes with getting.

Q: How did you welcome the news that you’re going to represent the whole PSS students to the Board of Education?

Answer: One afternoon last summer, I was contacted by my principal, Mr. Peter Le’au to report to school at 7:30am the next morning. It was Mssrs. Le’au and Garrison that first informed me that they were recommending my name to be the Student Representative to the State Board of Education. I was ecstatic to hear it first from them and I immediately sent a text to my friends and parents. After I got appointed by the Governor, I was featured (I believe it was by you) in the Marianas Variety and then in the Saipan Tribune for my swearing in. For both times I was interviewed, I believe that was the first time I really let the news out.

Q: What are your goals and missions for this job?

Answer: My goal is to do my best in representing every public school student in the CNMI, and after marching with my fellow colleagues to success, finally reach it. My mission is to live up to the full potential of my position and help my colleagues improve education here in the CNMI. Also, to make sure that our (the youth) voice is always heard before the leaders on Capital Hill make their decisions.

Q: What do you think are the good programs that you may initiate in the public schools that would help teens and youth in and out of school?

Answer: All the programs that improve learning we have now in the classrooms are useful. The most recent program that has been initiated is the Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) that seeks to improve student achievement in all ways. Through these frequent summits, we are able to reach out to all students whether they are youth leaders or at-risk students. Not only do I like this program, but a lot of students like it as well.

Q: How’s the feeling on your first day and reporting to BOE?

Answer: At first, I felt nervous because I couldn’t believe I was actually at the PSS Central Office, about to represent every single public student in the CNMI from grades 1-12. But I got over it.

Q: What legacy you want to leave with PSS students?

Answer: To me, the phrases leaving a legacy behind and setting a precedent can be interpreted in very different ways. I would like to be able to help the Board as we strive to create a perfect public school system. And that is where every student just can’t wait to go to school. I don’t know if this perfect system can ever really exist, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try, or that it’s even wrong to try. I hope this mentality passes down to all the other student reps after me, because this striving for perfection only brings out the best in us and will make us want to work harder every single time. I feel like this is something worth believing in.

Q: How did your family welcome your new task?

Answer: My family is very supportive of me. They understand that this task can take up a lot of my time, and they believe that I can do this. Because of that, I am forever grateful for them.