Students seek sponsors for Guam goodwill trip

Senior students from the Marianas High School have traded their usual summer field trip for a chance to reach out to their fellow islanders on Guam.

The week-long senior goodwill trip will involve community service-type activities like a clean-up of the island’s famous Ypao Beach, tree planting at the University of Guam and a visit to Guam Memorial Hospital’s pediatric ward where students will donate toys they collected from their toy drive.

“The main purpose of this trip is to foster goodwill between the islands. A lot of us have gone to Guam for shopping and sightseeing but have we really visited the place to learn more about the island and its culture,” Edwin Propst, senior class advisor said.

Mr. Propst also said that as well as learning the culture of Guamanians, seniors on the trip are also expected to share the culture of Saipan and hopefully build lasting ties with the people there.

“Not a lot of the people in Guam can identify with Saipan, it’s about time we let them know what we are like. If they cannot come to our island, then we should go to them. That is what this senior tour is all about,” he added.

The itinerary has been set and the children are more than eager to begin their goodwill tour, however, lack of funding is threatening to derail their hopes of bridging the gap between Saipan and Guam.

As such, the senior students of MHS have written to Government officials and private citizens asking for their financial support. They are also enjoining shopping store owners and individuals to donate to their toy drive, which as well as the pediatric ward of Guam Memorial, will also benefit patients of the Commonwealth Health Center

Apart from the civic activities, MHS seniors would also have a courtesy call to the Governor of Guam and visit its sister school in the island, George Washington High School.

The itinerary would also include a number of recreational trips like visits to Gameworks, Underwater World, Tarza Falls Water Park and movie screenings. The seniors would also be going to Sandcastle/The Globe and Hard Rock/Planet Hollywood.

It will also include exposure trips to the press offices of Pacific Daily News, Chamorro Village, Gef Pago Inarajan, Guam Museum, Two Lovers’ Point and Latte Stone Park.

Those interested in donating funds and new or slightly used toys can visit Mr. Propst room at E-104 at the Marianas High School or call him at his residence at 234-3145. They can also call Senior Class President Raena Bermudes at 322-6284 and Vice President Alisa Toress at 256-7667.