SGMA supports local student groups

As the academic year begins winding down for Spring break, the Saipan Garment Manufacturer’s Association (SGMA) is stepping up and doing their part to help two student groups participate in their extracurricular projects.

Last week, SGMA acting chair Richard A. Pierce spoke to the Marianas High School Close Up Club and presented a $2,000 check from SGMA to help defray costs of their upcoming visit to Washington, DC. Twenty students from the club will tour the nation’s capitol from April 8th to the 22nd and get a first-hand look at the American political machine in action.

As part of the Close Up program, the group will meet representatives of the Department of the Interior. Through a special arrangement by the business organizations on Saipan, they will also visit with the Western Caucus, a congressional organization chaired by U.S. Congressman George Radanovich, who visited Saipan in January and has been supportive of CNMI issues.

“The students have been working hard to raise money and we are pleased to be able to help fund their trip. We also helped arrange for them to visit with the executive director of the Western Caucus in order to help them receive a balanced orientation on D.C. politics,” said Mr. Pierce. “After asking the students if they would like to tour some of the islands’ factories before their trip, they replied that they had done so a number of times during school field trips, and would certainly relay their observations, if asked.”

In addition to the Close Up donation, SGMA also contributed $500 to the CNMI chapter of the National Forensics League, a speech and debate society that plans to attend the national championships in Portland, Oregon this June. The Western Pacific Region Coordinator, Steve Smith, says the SGMA donation is a big boost to the group. “This will be the CNMI’s first visit to the national championships, so we’re thrilled with the opportunity. And any help we get, like this generous support from SGMA, is just tremendous.”

Mr. Smith explained that the CNMI team will be composed of students who fare well at the upcoming regional championships. The final squad will consist of about 15-20 students and coaches from the public and private schools on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. “We have some great talent, so no matter who we send to the National’s, we will be very strong,” said Mr. Smith.

The Saipan Garment Manufacturer’s Association represents 30 of the islands’ garment factories. Employing nearly 15,000 people, including 2,400 local residents, garment manufacturing is a driving economic force in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.