Rota gov’t agencies, private businesses recognized by PSS co-op program

ROTA—The Public School System’s Cooperative Education Program wrapped up its district-wide end-of-year partner appreciation event with Rota on May 20, and, for this year, the municipality has once again delivered its highest number of government and private sector partners.

A total of 24 private and government businesses were honored by Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho, Co-Op Program coordinator Brandon Nicholas, and Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior Senior High School principal Annette Calvo in an appreciation ceremony held at Puesto Grill II in Songsong village.

The co-op program with Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior Senior High School is celebrating its fourth-year implementation on Rota. Over 60 high school students have participated in the internship program.

“We are here because we are celebrating the incredible partnership that we have with the local government offices and private businesses who have stepped up for the last four years in helping our high school students prepare for their after-high school choices,” said Camacho.

Camacho also recognized the leadership of RHI for the continued success of the Cooperative Education Program’s student interns program, which was implemented in 2020.

“I want to thank principal Annette Calvo for great leadership in keeping this program alive in Rota,” the education chief added.

Camacho, Calvo, and Nicholas presented the Rota co-op program’s partners with certificates. Honored as partners were: 3Kings Market and Harvest, Ace Hardware Rota, Anne’s Convenient Store, Bayview Hotel, Budget Rent-A-Car, DCCA Historical Preservation Office-Rota, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services-Rota, Department of Fish and Wildlife-Rota, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior Senior High School, Hago Lamon, Lagua Enterprises, Lucy’s Day Care, Luta Green Gold, Marianas Visitors Authority-Rota, MGS Enterprises, OB Salon, Pizzaria Bar & Grill, RNA Crafts Designs, Rota Health Center, Rota Mayor’s Office, Sasanhaya Service Station, Sinapalo Elementary School, Sinapalo Safeway, and TEA’s Enterprises.

‘Thank you, mentors’

The interns shared their testimonials about the program.

“We learned how it is important to communicate and help with customers,” said student Malcolm Atalig of his internship with Budget Rent-A-Car. “Thank you for mentoring us.”

“What I learned there is how the (CNMI government) consists of different offices and parts. I now know how big the government is here and how it operates… and my internship was part of a bigger picture in the (operation and services),’ said student, John, of his DCCA-Historic Preservation internship.

For a DFEMS-Rota intern, “It’s not just about fighting fire but saving lives.”

“We were able to apply teamwork, and become a better version of ourselves,” the intern added.

The RHI library aide intern learned how “the co-op program helped me assume duties in an environment I didn’t know I could learn. It helped me with my future.”

“I like little kids and my internship with Lucy’s Day Care helps me learn things about proper care at an early (period of a child),” said another student.

For the interns of MVA-Rota, they said, “It’s about the tourism industry”.

For the private business, MGS, the four interns said it helped them learn about food production.

“From sourcing ingredients to quality control, everything matters. It’s a dynamic industry where innovation and adoption are key to staying competitive,” the four students said.

They added, “Our mentors taught us: no matter how much it takes, quality matters more than quantity. Like our mentors say: if you won’t eat it, don’t sell it.”

An intern for Pizzaria Bar and Grill learned beyond taking food orders. “I developed skills involving multitasking, critical thinking, problem-solving and being respectful to every customer no matter the situation,” the intern shares.

‘Beyond high school’

Camacho said the huge number of high school students shows that these students “are already thinking beyond high school” and the co-op program “continues to succeed in the last four years by supporting Rota high school students’ after-high school choices.”

“You have been developed and supported from the moment you received proper education. Now, in high school and part of the co-op program, the program will guide you on your next step: some of you here are in middle school, and you’ll be thinking about what to do in high school, and some of you are seniors, and this will guide you in your decision-making process after graduation,” Camacho said in his remarks.

“Please know that your Public School System will continue to support you, the children of Rota, and the CNMI, as a whole. For us, your education leaders and advocates, we have the reason, the mindset and the support system to succeed in serving and giving you, our students, every opportunity to learn and succeed.”

Camacho also particularly noted that this batch of interns are “Gen Z” students.

“You have a greater advantage in succeeding because you were born in this digital era. But how do you achieve success? By virtue of learning (and using every technology made available to you) … and as you walk that path, you are gaining wisdom and knowledge,” adds the education chief.

‘Future workforce’

The co-op program coordinator acknowledged that despite the challenges faced by the Rota economy, the local businesses and government offices on the island “accepted and trained students because they believe they are the future workforce.”

“Companies and agencies here today, we wish to extend our deepest sense of gratitude to you all for allowing our students to learn from each one of you. I’d be preaching to the choir if I didn’t share that life here in Rota is a lot different from most places, and even full-time work is hard to come by. You open your doors so that our students can understand the importance of hard work and show how much you love, care and respect your island,” Nicholas said in his remarks.

He added, “We thank you for keeping open so that people from the village can buy much needed groceries, provide life-saving care as highly trained first responders, a safe place to stay for people that are visiting or may be returning home for a short visit and the many other businesses that provide goods and services to the entire island.”

“Despite the many difficulties you all face while trying to operate your business, you still found time to train the future of our workforce and give the youth of Rota an opportunity to understand what real work looks and feels like, as they will soon do this in their adult lives. Today is all about you, and we hope you continue to partner with us.” (PR)