10 CNMI students are awarded scholarships

Ten public school students have been selected to receive Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarships, according to a statement issued by the office of Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos.

Each scholarship is a four-year scholarship at $1,500 per year or $6,000 total scholarship.

Inos said that the number of qualified applicants far exceeded the 10 scholarships that the U.S. Department of Education makes available each year to the Public School System.

The commissioner commended the students for their excellent essays, for their excellent cumulative high school grade point averages, the teachers for their fine recommendation letters and, most especially, the parents of each of the 10 scholars for all the quality time they have invested in helping their child achieve the academic success that a Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship conveys.

The Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars are:

* Lorraine R. Catienza, the daughter of Victorino M. and Mercedita R. Catienza. Lorraine will be graduating from Marianas High School. She is the president of the National Honor Society at MHS. Lorraine will be attending the University of Guam this fall and plans on majoring in Education.

* Zachary J. Berger, the son of Joshua and Gayle Berger. Zachary graduated from Northern Marianas Academy with a 4.56 grade point average. Zachary will be attending Digipen Institute of Technology in Redmond, Washington and plans on a major in film production.

* Leslie Kelly Cabrera, the daughter of Deanna K. Tessen and Carmen P. Kelly. Leslie graduated from Northern Marianas Academy with a 4.58 cumulative grade point average. Leslie plans on attending the Gonzaga University in the fall and plans on majoring in pre-medicine. Leslie is also the recipient of a Gonzaga University Trustee’s Scholarship.

* Martina Hofschneider Diaz, the daughter of Frank and Francis H. Diaz. Martina is graduating from Tinian High School with a 4.27 grade point average. She plans on attending the Oregon State University with a major in English and journalism.

* Sherriann Muller Songsong, the daughter of Jose and Angelina Songsong. Sherriann is graduating from Marianas High School. She plans on attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa and plans on majoring in mathematics and education.

* Mallory Conner, the daughter of Casey C. and MariLou A. Conner. Mallory is graduating from Kagman High School with a 4.08 cumulative grade point average. Mallory plans on attending Southern Virginia University and majoring in Linguistics.

* ReiJoyce G. Taman, the daughter of Julian N. and Alicia G. Taman. ReiJoyce is graduating from Saipan Southern High School with a 4.21 cumulative grade point average. ReiJoyce plans on attending the Liberty University in Virginia and plans on majoring in Allied Health and Aviation.

* Erralyn E. Rieman, the daughter of Fred and Lita Rieman. Erralyn is graduating from Kagman High School and had a cumulative 4.13 grade point average. Erralyn plans on attending Hawaii Pacific University and majoring in Nursing.

* Tahnee Manglona Aquiningoc, the daughter of Ignacio P. Aquiningoc and Ramona M. Aquiningoc. Tahnee is graduating from Tinian High School with a 4.20 cumulative grade point average. Tahnee plans on attending Chemekita Community College and plans to major mathematics and education.

* Jacqueline P. Che, the daughter of Peter and Violeta Che. Jacqueline is graduating from Mount Carmel High School with a 4.14 cumulative grade point average. Jacqueline plans on attending the University of San Diego and plans on majoring in nursing.

Inos said the CNMI needs the expertise that each of these scholars will have acquired when they complete their studies.

“It is for that reason, that the PSS urges each of these 10 scholars to be diligent in their studies and to come home and share your knowledge and practice the skills you have acquired once you graduate,” she added.

Inos commended both these Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars and their parents for being role models for the rest of the community to emulate. The commissioner also encourages this school year’s junior students and their parents to start thinking about scholarship opportunities such as the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship.