Shining a spotlight on children’s Christmas wishes
It’s not every holiday when children’s Christmas wishes come true, but with Saipan Tribune playing Santa this year, anything is possible.
In an effort to share the Christmas spirit and to bring joy to children as well as cheer them on Christmas Day, Saipan Tribune organized this year its first art competition for children ages 6 to 12 years old.
Over 200 participants from various schools in the Northern Mariana Islands participated and submitted entries for the themed contest, called “What I Wish for Christmas.” Participants were asked to draw their Christmas wishes in watercolor, poster color, acrylic, crayons, or color pencils, and then were asked to describe their drawings and why they made those specific wishes.
A lot of the children drew simple wishes like getting toys, teddy bears, basketballs, soccer balls, drawing materials, clothes, shoes, or pets like puppies and kittens, to name a few. There were also heart-tugging wishes for world peace and wanting to spend time with parents or be reunited with off-island family members.
Granted wishes
The children’s heartwarming wishes touched the hearts of TanHoldings management and employees and many of them made a point to grant as many wishes they could where possible. A child who wished to spend time with family on Christmas Day was given gift certificates so the family could eat out together.
The overarching goal of Saipan Tribune was to make the children happy and to grant as many wishes as possible. The employees randomly picked entries and granted the wishes where possible.
Art contest
All entries were submitted to JP Center and were judged by Jose Roberto Aguilar, Saipan Tribune’s Graphic Arts team leader, and Raymond Zapanta of L&T.
The contest started on Dec. 6 and ended on Dec. 19, 2023. The awarding ceremony was held on Dec. 21, at the JP Center. Saipan Tribune sales supervisor Edna Nisola led the awarding ceremony.
The winner in the ages 6-7 category was Colin Lillies, 7, who is in 2nd grade at Green Meadow School. The winner in the age 8-9 category was Yohan Jeong, 8, of Oleai Elementary School, while the winner in the age 10-12 category was Miel Jewel Lim Mabaquiao, 11, of Green Meadow School.
The winners received certificates of recognition, $100 cash prizes, Marpac gift baskets, and gift certificates from Kyokushinkai Karate and Chowtime.
Honorable mention honors went to Ai Nonogaki, 8, of William S. Reyes; and Jusam Jae, 6, of Saipan Community School. They both received cash prizes, recognitions, and gift certificates.
Five participants were also given Special Creative Awards: Aileen Kim, 9, Seung Jun Moon, 9, both from Saipan Community School; Yoonmin Cho, 9, of Saipan International School; Clover Haryn Cha, 6, of Grace Christian Academy and Jenny Quin, 6 of Sinapalo Elementary School. The Special Creative awardee were given recognitions, cash prizes, and gift certificates.
Sponsors, participants
Saipan Tribune would like to thank the wonderful sponsors that made the art contest a huge success: TanHoldings Corp. and its philanthropic arm, the Tan Siu Lin Foundation; Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan, E-Land, Century Insurance Co. Ltd, McDonald’s, P&A Community Corp. – International Roller Skates, Brabu Pharmacy, Chowtime, Saipan Mayor’s Office and Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho, Saipan Shipping, Kyokushinkai Karate, CTSI Logistics, Old Spice, D&Q, Jet Holdings Co., RNV Construction, Lollipops, Girl Talk, and Bridge Capital.
Children from all over the CNMI participated in the art contest, including students from Grace Christian Academy, Sinapalo Elementary School on Rota, Garapan Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Koblerville Elementary School, Green Meadows School, William S. Reyes Elementary School, Northern Marianas International School, Oleai Elementary School, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, and Hopwood Middle School.
“We hosted the drawing contest with a heartfelt commitment to embody the spirit of giving this Christmas and make this festive season truly special for everyone involved. Our goal was to bring joy to the hearts of children during this magical time while fostering their creativity and artistic expression,” said Nisola. “We hope that this contest inspired a sense of wonder and imagination to all who participated and created a wonderful opportunity for our valued business partners and community to express their love and generosity. Thank you to all of our sponsors for sharing your blessings and making this contest possible. Congratulations to all of our participants and winners. We hope that you continue to shine bright in your endeavors this coming year. Merry Christmas!”
The winners and gift recipients of the What I Wish for Christmas Drawing Contest pose for a photo during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
The winner of ages 10-12 category, Miel Jewel Lim Mabaquiao, 11, of Green Meadow School, poses for a photo with her winning artwork and prizes during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
The winner of ages 8-9 category, Yohan Jeong, 8, from Oleai Elementary School, smiles as he poses for a photo with his winning artwork and prizes during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
The winner of ages 6-7 category, Colin Lilles, 7, from Green Meadow School, pose for a photo with his winning artwork and prizes during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Honorable mention Ai Nonogaki, 8, from William S. Reyes pose for a photo with her winning artwork and prizes during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Honorable mention Tyler Kang, 6, of Saipan Community School, poses for a photo with his winning artwork and prizes during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Aileen Kim, 9, of Saipan Community School, whose drawing about a Christmas party received a Special Creative Award, poses for a photo during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Special Creative Awardee Seung Jun Moon, 9, of Saipan Community School, poses for a photo with his winning artwork during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Special Creative Awardee Clover Haryn Cha, 6, of Grace Christian Academy, poses for a photo with her winning artwork during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
Special Creative Awardee Yoonmin Cho, 9, of Saipan International School, poses for a photo with her winning artwork during the announcement of winners yesterday at the JP Center conference room in Garapan.
-RAYMOND ZAPANTA
