Student leader urges youths to vote

Associated Students of the Northern Marianas College president Christine Fidelino encouraged yesterday fellow students to vote in tomorrow’s primary elections, saying it’s high time that the youths take part in a decision that would mold their future.

“Every vote counts,” said the 24-year-old business management major at CNMI’s lone college.

The student leader believes that if only all of over 500 NMC students of voting age expressed their political preferences by voting in tomorrow’s polls, the election results is likely to echo the voice of the youths.

ASNMC organized yesterday a gubernatorial forum attended by candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties in efforts to provide opportunities for students to make informed decisions before casting their ballots this Saturday.

The dialogue slated between the college community and the 2001 candidates drew students, faculty, and college officials to the NMC student center, all wanting to hear what the candidates had to say about reforms for the college.

“We held this so that students can raise their concerns and ask questions, and hopefully gain more knowledge about what is happening in the community, especially on matters concerning the institution,” said the ASNMC head.

At the forum, students urged aspiring governors and lieutenant governors to reveal their plans in the area of education, raising the issue on scholarships as their main concern.

Ms. Fidelino further expressed hopes the leaders would include in their plans the strengthening of programs for the local entrepreneur.

“I was told by the Scholarship office that we don’t need business management majors on island. There is very little support in this area as far as financial scholarships are concerned,” said Ms. Fidelino.

Much to her dismay, the business management major is not giving up hopes the next administration would look into the issue at hand.

The candidates, for their part, vowed to make education their number one priority if elected into office.

“We need to invest in our students, so you can hone your skills, develop your talents. We are very positive in helping the students to achieve their dreams,” said gubernatorial candidate Lt. Governor Jesus R. Sablan.

Rep. Diego Benavente, in a separate forum, also underscored on education as the main priority in his party’s agenda.

“We’re talking about education from kindergarten to the post secondary level. We’re here to express our continued support on all educational needs,” said Mr. Benavente, who is seeking the Republican nomination for the lieutenant governor post.