MTEC school presentations kick off on Rota

The Marianas Tourism Education Council kicked off its annual school outreach last Friday, Oct. 25, at Rota public schools with a sponsorship offer for students who sign up to join the January 2025 Rota Marathon organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority.

MTEC and the MVA shared their message on the importance of tourism with students at Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr./Sr. High and Sinapalo Elementary. Throughout the presentation students also shared their knowledge of the Marianas tourism industry. MTEC also pledged to cover the registration costs of the first fifteen students who sign up at the MVA Rota office for the Rota Marathon 5K course by the early bird deadline on Thursday, Oct. 31.

“The MTEC board is excited to partner with the young people youth of Rota with this event sponsorship,” said MTEC board chair Vicky Benavente. “The Rota Marathon is a chance for the students to engage directly with the tourism and hospitality industry, the MVA, and visitors to their beautiful island. It’s a great way for them to experience first-hand that ‘tourism is everybody’s business,’ as we always say. And we know that many youths also volunteer, if they don’t run.”

MTEC’s annual school outreach—conducted alongside the MVA—aims to engage 4th graders, 7th graders, and 10th graders on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with current information and activities highlighting the Marianas’ primary economic driver, how tourism impacts their lives, and ways students can support tourism even at a young age.

The presentation also includes an overview of the work the MVA, including marketing and its annual signature events such as Christmas in the Marianas in December, Rota Marathon in January, and Saipan Marathon in March.

The Rota schools were visited by MTEC board member Catherine Perry and MVA Community Projects specialist Jack Aranda. Other MTEC Board members are vice chair Glenn Policare (Kanoa Resort), secretary Martin Duenas (MVA), treasurer Larissa Larson, Dr. Galvin Guerrero (Northern Marianas College), Larry Lee, Naomi Nishimura (CNMI Public School System), Gordon Marciano (Pacific Development, Inc.), and Dr. Yunzi Zhang (Northern Marianas College).

For more information or to donate to MTEC, contact MVA Community Projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or (670) 664-3200 for more information. (PR)