Rota High sees 100% graduation rate in senior class

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the CNMI, the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School saw a 100% graduation rate among its seniors this school year 2019-2020.

According to RHI High School principal Tanya King, she credits the 100% graduation rate to teachers and staff who went above and beyond their scope of work to help the seniors despite the unprecedented crisis. “We extend our profound appreciation to the RHI faculty and staff whose commitment and dedication to our students both inside and outside the classroom exemplifies ‘Students will always be first,’” she said.

RHI High School held a motorcade graduation ceremony last Friday to bid farewell to 34 of their graduating seniors.

In her message to the Class of 2020, King said this year’s graduating class is special because they’re the class who dared to be different. “Little did you realize that when you deliberated and finalized your theme, did you know that that is exactly what you will be, the graduating class who will ‘dare to be different’, because that is what we need right now. You are the young adults who will address issues that need solutions that dare to be different. The world has changed in a moment and you and your generation are our best hope for a better tomorrow. You have been awesome for the last four years. Now is the time for you to be extraordinary,” she said.

This year’s valedictorian, Ivany Maratita Manglona, said that, although school ending so abruptly was unexpected and their class lost the opportunity to make more memories together, their graduation is a memory that will also go down in history.

“We are making a memory today with us being here and graduating despite the circumstances we are facing right now. We may not experience a traditional graduation but we are witnessing a change right before our eyes. For the first time in what feels like forever, people are not alone. We all have been through a momentous journey that tested our strength and friendship,” she said.

Salutatorian Junice Dawn Masga encouraged her classmates to be strong determined leaders. “I’ve envisioned myself here today, but I have never thought that I would make it here, standing in front of the Class of 2020. Each and every one of us has the potential to achieve their own dreams because I have known the Class of 2020 to be strong and determined leaders,” she said.

The following are the rest of the awards during the Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School graduation:

Ivany Manglona: Valedictorian, Board of Education Award, top honor award, Presidential award Gold, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Mayor’s Award, OFEGRA, Governor’s Award

Junice Masga: Salutatorian, Commissioner of Education award, top honor, Presidential Award Gold

Virginia Manglona: Principal’s award, Presidential Award Silver

Dawno Jade Manglona Agbayani: Top honor, Presidential Award Gold, Social Studies

Jonovan Vicente Cabrera Lizama: Top honor, Presidential Award Gold

Onria Nicole Atalig: Top honor, Presidential Award Gold

Blessylou Atalig Manglona: Presidential Award Silver, Physical Education

Gene Bernard Ramos Jr.: Presidential Award Silver, Elective

Ralph Joshua Asuncion Ancaya: Presidential Award Silver

Marjorie Japor Banaag: Presidential Award Silver

Klowee Sablan Fujihira: Presidential Award Silver

Angelo Seloterio Lucero: Presidential Award Silver

Prinzes Belle Santos Manglona: Presidential Award Silver

Alejo Rosario Mendiola Jr. IV: Presidential Award Silver

Valeria Genelaso Myers: Science/World Language

Victor Edgar Sancho Villamor: World Language