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Swim meet champ GCA receives 3 plaques
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- Grace Christian Academy students, their parents, and teachers pose for a photo during the opening ceremony of the 2017 Saipan Swim Club All Schools Swim Meet held late last month at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Contributed Photo)
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- Grace Christian Academy principal Beth Ann Nunez, right, and vice principal Susan Pajarillaga show the plaque the Eagles received from Saipan Swim Club for dominating the 2017 SSC All Schools Swim Meet held late last month at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool. (Contributed Photo)
Grace Christian Academy received three plaques from Saipan Swim Club for reigning supreme in the 2017 SSC All Schools Swim Meet held late last month at the Kan Pacific Swimming Pool.
The plaques were handed over to GCA principal Ben Ann Nunez and vice principal Susan Pajarillaga last Wednesday, as the Eagles ruled the elementary, middle school, and high school divisions of the SSC-organized meet.
The sweep was a first for any school competing in the meet and GCA could not be prouder with its students’ achievement.
“We congratulate all the GCA Eagles for doing such an amazing job. The All Schools meet is a wonderful opportunity for private and public school students to interact and have some friendly competition. We are grateful to the Saipan Swim Club that sponsored and organized this event. Finally, a big thank you to Mr. Nelson Pagaduan, our parent coach, and to Ms. Courtney Poppinga, our teacher-coach,” Nunez said.
GCA swimmers, their supportive parents, and teachers also shared their thoughts about the tournament and the Eagles’ domination in last month’s meet.
“It is always enjoyable and also fun seeing young stars putting their talents to a show. I thank GCA for not only achieving academic and spiritual growth but also enabling their talent development,” said Elizabeth Metz, whose son Joel joined the meet for the first time.
“I’m so proud of all the GCA swimmers and their great team work,” said Kyungah Thompson, whose daughters Jinie and Jinju gave the Eagles several first place finishes in the middle and high school races.
For her part, Poppinga has all praises for their students.
“Thank you for giving your best! I am so proud of you and loved every second of being your coach,” the teacher-coach said.
Sixth grader Nieves Villagomez saw the meet as an opportunity to bond with their classmates.
“It was great to hang out with my classmates out of school and the swim meet was intense and interesting,” she said.
Another sixth grader and one of GCA’s top swimmers—Ashley Dangol—loved to see GCA field a big team in the meet.
“The swim meet was one of the most enjoyable meet I have joined. We were a big team. The team spirit was exciting. It was great to see new people and work as one,” Dangol said.
