Winners of Christmas in the Marianas competitions named

Garapan, Kagman, Koblerville, and San Antonio elementary schools were named winners in a slew of competitions held throughout this month as part of the 2013 Christmas in the Marianas celebration at the Paseo de Marianas.

Garapan Elementary School was a first-timer in this year’s Christmas Caroling Competition but that didn’t prevent it from dethroning five-time defending champion Koblerville Elementary School in the elementary division.

Koblerville settled for second this year, followed by Mt. Carmel School in third place, Oleai Elementary School in fourth place, Kagman Elementary School in fifth place, and Green Meadow School in sixth place.

In the high school division, Kagman Elementary School won a two-team competition after besting Mt. Carmel School.

Koblerville Elementary School won this year’s Float Competition with an entry that fully expressed this year’s theme of “Christmas in the Tropics.”

Teacher Karen Alla said their float probably bested the competition because of their ingenious use of recycled and indigenous materials.

“We won because of our natural decorations. We used recycled materials like plastic bottles. We also had local fruits in our float. We really wanted to give a ‘Christmas in the Tropics’ vibe in our float and it worked,” she said.

Alla said she and her team of teachers and volunteers from Koblerville’s PTA worked for three days round the clock to complete the prize-winning float.

Finishing second was Kagman Elementary School, followed by San Vicente Elementary School, Golden Harvest International School, Green Meadow School, Mt. Carmel School, and Oleai Elementary School.

Winners of the Christmas caroling and float competitions were awarded cash prizes by the organizing Marianas Visitors Authority on Saturday.

In the Christmas Tree Decorating Competition, San Antonio Elementary School bested 13 other schools to take home the $5,000 grand prize.

The school’s winning entry is dominated by white-hued Christmas ornaments, topped by a circular and colorful star, and draped by sparkling Christmas lights.

Golden Harvest International School finished second and pocketed the $3,000 purse, followed by Dandan Elementary School ($2,000), Green Meadow School ($1,000), and Mt. Carmel School and Grace Christian Academy, which finished tied at fourth place and split the $1,000 cash prize.

Koblerville, Oleai, Tanapag, San Vicente, Kagman, Gregorio T. Camacho, and William S. Reyes elementary schools as well as Agape Christian School all got consolation prizes of $500 each.

MVA managing director Perry Tenorio congratulated the winners and thanked all the participants. “We talk about tourism being everybody’s business and this is one way for the MVA and our partners such as PDM Promotions, Inc. to get the community involved in celebrating tourism as well as the holidays.”

PDM Promotions president Misako Kamata, for her part, said she was happy how the 2013 Christmas in the Marianas turned out, adding that the most difficult part of the entire event was judging the competitions.

“It’s very hard to judge and very hard to choose. We really saw the effort of everybody. If we can only give first prize to everybody we would have because everyone was that good,” Kamata said.

Tenorio added that the 2013 Christmas in the Marianas activities are in no way finished with Saturday night’s Mochitsuki Festival. He said more events were lined up last night and also tonight at the Paseo de Marianas.

“This is our fourth Saturday and we will be extending it and we will also have an event on Sunday and Monday night. We are very happy.”

He said the Christmas in the Marianas will only be better each year.

“It’s a work in progress but we want it to be one of the most celebrated events, almost like a Taste of the Marianas. It will definitely be back again next year.”