MTEC, MVA, MYWAVE meet on school year plans

To kick off another school year of engaging students, the Marianas Tourism Education Council and Marianas Visitors Authority held its annual meeting with school MYWAVE, or Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically, club advisors last Friday, Sept. 13, at Pacific Islands Club Saipan.

“We recognize the importance of the MYWAVE Club Advisors, who provide leadership and support for the students who are interested in learning about the hospitality industry,” said MTEC chair Vicky Benavente. “And we are grateful for their continued commitment to helping the kids stay informed of our islands’ primary economic source.”

MTEC is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 that aims to heighten the community’s awareness of the importance of tourism to the well-being of the people of the Marianas.

“I value my community efforts to promote tourism and protect our cultural heritages that we can share across the nations (and) with other regions,” said one advisor at the meeting.

This year, MTEC and MVA will continue their school presentations to 4th, 7th, and 10th graders at public schools. The MYWAVE Tourism Summit—which last school year engaged MYWAVE Clubs with the theme “Green Spaces, Memorable Places” through an educational tour of Marpi—is scheduled for January 2025. Also shared were opportunities for MYWAVE Clubs to aid age-appropriate destination enhancement projects of the MVA, opportunities for advisors to earn a stipend for out-of-pocket costs in conducting club activities, and details on the MTEC Scholarship program for graduating seniors. Advisors also shared ideas with each other on club activities to support and engage with tourism.

“I’m here because I would like to help my students explore the industry and know how they can be a positive part of the community,” added another advisor.

Participating schools were Tinian Middle & High School, Kagman Elementary, Francisco M. Sablan Elementary, Dandan Middle School, Tanapag Middle School, William S. Reyes Elementary, Chacha Oceanview Middle School, Koberville Elementary, Oleai Elementary, Hopwood Middle School, Kagman High School, Marianas High School, San Vicente Elementary, Da’ok Academy, and Garapan Elementary.

MTEC’s primary fundraiser, the Marianas Tourism Cup Golf Classic, will be held on Oct. 12, 2024, at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort. Interested sponsors may contact the MVA Community Projects Division for more information.

MTEC’s stated mission is three-fold—to foster community understanding and support of the visitor industry; to educate the general public, especially school students, about the value, social benefits, and economic contributions made to the community by the visitor industry; and to instill, improve, and promote the “Hafa Adai-Tirow” hospitality spirit throughout the island community.

In addition to Benavente, MTEC board members include vice chair Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort), secretary Martin Duenas (MVA), treasurer Larissa Larson, Dr. Galvin Deleon Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (Pacific Development, Inc.), Dr. Yunzi Zhang (Northern Marianas College). and Catherine Perry (Integrity Communications).

Schools interested in starting a MYWAVE Club may contact the MVA Community Projects Division at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200/1. (PR)