From ‘tourism education’ to ‘special education’ for Aniga

With the 2023 Marianas Tourism Golf Classic fast approaching on Saturday, Sept. 2, on Saipan, the recipient of the first postsecondary scholarship from tournament beneficiary Marianas Tourism Education Council is also teeing off on her doctorate in Special Education this fall.

Reynafe Aniga was president of the Saipan Southern High School MY WAVE (Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically) Club when she graduated in 2017, after first joining the tourism club in middle school.

“I joined MYWAVE as a member because of how active the club was in the community,” said Aniga. “Their frequent beach cleanups and other fun participation in community events were really appealing to me. I saw it as a way of expanding my learning outside of the classroom. MYWAVE gave me multiple opportunities to learn about Saipan and its hospitality industry, and being a MYWAVE officer helped me develop leadership skills.”

Aniga’s favorite memory of MYWAVE is participating in the Marianas Visitors Authority’s annual Christmas in the Marianas caroling contest and parade, where the club won first place for skit and caroling for three years in a row. She says the MTEC seed scholarship of $1,000 helped her move forward in her college plans.

“Because of my experience with hospitality and tourism through MYWAVE, I was inspired to pursue a degree in that field. So, I applied to the No. 1 school in hospitality, which is at the University of Nevada Las Vegas,” she said. “I got accepted and moved, but during my time here [in Las Vegas] I was exposed to so many different things that led to my switch in careers.”

Aniga is now a registered behavior technician who provides therapy to autistic children. She is working on getting her board-certified behavior analyst credentials, just a step up from the behavior technician position. She has a BA degree in Psychology, a minor in Neuroscience, and an MA in Special Education with the specialty of Applied Behavior Analysis.

“Throughout my entire time here…I’ve applied the leadership skills and people skills that I’ve learned from being involved with MYWAVE,” said Aniga. “My current career centers on working with people, which is similar to the tourism/hospitality industry. I may have switched to a career so different [from] my initial plan, but the ideals of being welcoming and compassionate toward people I work with remain the same.”

A portion of the proceeds of the Marianas Tourism Golf Classic will go toward offering a scholarship to a graduating senior who has been a member of MYWAVE during high school. Tournament registration forms and sponsorship details are now available on the Marianas Calendar at www.mymarianas.com, and the early bird registration fee of $120 was extended to yesterday.

“Even if you are unsure about whether or not you want to work in the tourism/hospitality field, the connections you make and the skills you build will be something that you can hold onto and apply regardless of where you go!” said Aniga. “Biba MYWAVE!”

Tournament registration—including payment—is being accepted at LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort (credit card or cash only) and the MVA office (cash or check only) on Beach Road, Garapan, in the Gold Beach Hotel building. Checks should be made payable to Marianas Tourism Education Council. Optional play is $30.

For more information, contact Marianas Tourism Golf Classic committee chair Martin Duenas at mduenas@mymarianas.com or committee member Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or call 1 (670) 664-3200/1. (PR)