Tinian Middle School promotes 34 to 9th grade

Tinian Middle School held its promotion ceremony for 34 students who are now going into the ninth grade last Tuesday morning.

The promotion ceremony, held at the Tinian Middle School cafeteria, officially began the Public School System’s celebration for both of its graduating high school seniors and promoted 8th grade middle school students throughout Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Chae Yun Seo is the class valedictorian for Tinian Middle School and recipient of the Board of Education Academic Excellence Award. The award was presented by BOE acting chair Maisie B. Tenorio, secretary/treasurer Gregory P. Borja, and Tinian BOE member Antonio L. Borja.

Tina Chang Chi is class salutatorian for the promoted class and recipient of the Commissioner of Education Academic Excellence Award, which was presented by Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho.

Joining Seo and Chi in the Top 10 promoted Tinian Middle School 8th grade students are: (3) Christofe Donald Dora Patio; (4) Nazario Aguon Borja, Jr; (5)Kymani Flores Nabors; (6) Ken Joshua Cabrera Litulumar; (7) Aleckah Candice Anastacio and Ava Roxy Vihyel Ayuyu John; (9) Johndel Esmidella Almonte, and (10) Arturo Lopez Rivera III.

The promoted middle school students chose the theme, “A Million Dreams for A World’ We’re Gonna Make.”

‘Greater good’

Class valedictorian Seo thanked everyone who supported her middle school journey, which was punctuated by her finishing top of her class.

In her valedictorian address, she gave emphasis on the importance of middle school: “[It] was a chapter in our lives where we prepare for the greater good, which we call an advancement in our life. And now I would like to say I am glad to finish this chapter and move on to the next.”

“We have all had our ups and downs throughout these years together, but it has been a memorable journey for all of us, even if some of our peers have left us midway. Without the support of everyone around me, I wouldn’t be standing here today,” she said.

She added, “Thank you to my parents for supporting me through everything and even on my bad days. I wouldn’t have come this far without them, and I wanted to say thank you to them. They were my source of motivation when I needed it the most.”

She paid tribute to her school and teacher for “giving me enough knowledge to stand here.”

Seo said her peers who followed her on her middle school journey. “They had given me the desire and motivation to do my best and reach where I am.”

‘New chapter’

Salutatorian Chi, in her speech, said her moving on to 9th grade is a special day both for her family and peers. It is a day that represents the beginning of a new chapter for her.

“I am honored to be standing here in front of you as a salutatorian. This day is very special to not just me as a salutatorian, but all my peers and their family,” Chi said.

“This journey has been hard, and today represents the end of this chapter of my life and the beginning of a new chapter. I just wanted to thank my friends and most importantly my parents for supporting me through everything and always providing for me, being my backbone, and being the root of my dreams. I would not be standing here without them, as the point of a dream is lost when the roots are gone,” the salutatorian said in her address.

She honored her Tinian Middle School teachers and staff for understanding and supporting her academic success.

“A special thank you to the teachers and staff for understanding me and…for assisting me in my academics, and also to everyone who believed in me in any way during this journey…even if they are not here right now,” she added. “Congratulations to the (future) class of 2028.”

‘Advantage’

Principal Liz Perzinski is proud of her promoted students.

“You actually have more advantage than the 8th graders on Saipan who will move to an unfamiliar (and new learning) environment. Here, you share the campus with the high school, you did school events together… You’ll be fine,” the school administrator assures her promoted students.

Perzinski reminded the promoted students about their chosen promotion theme:” Your imagination is a powerful tool to change your attitude and state of mind. Every extraordinary achievement, every innovative idea was first imagined by someone or living inside somebody’s mind as a dream.”

The school administrator also acknowledged class advisers Tiana San Nicolas and Velma Reyes for their dedication and hard work.

‘You are not alone’

Acting BOE chair Maisie B. Tenorio, in her remarks, praised the promoted students for their perseverance.

“On behalf of our chairperson, retired, SGM Herman Atalig, and the rest of my colleagues at the 18th CNMI State Board of Education, I am honored to be here in celebration of your accomplishments. These last few years have not been easy, yet you showed up for your family, your classmates but, most importantly—for yourself,” Tenorio said in her remarks.

She added, “If you take any skill with you, take the one that helps you with one foot in front of the other. The next four years will also have its sets of challenges, but you are not alone. You have an entire community of loved ones and educators who will walk alongside you—one step at a time. With their support and your courage, you will continue to reach amazing destinations.”

‘Life’s full of endorphins’

In his remarks, Education Commissioner Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho offered a unique analogy of student life: how the natural chemicals produced by the human body release all the four “happy chemicals” (hormones) to respond to signals about what to feel and how to function.

Camacho said: “dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins… are naturally produced chemicals that respond to happy moments…such as special and memorable events like promotion ceremonies.”

“Sometimes, they are called feel-good (hormones) body chemicals that react to lifestyle changes and moments…like what we have today: we have a lot of emotions here because we are celebrating. Your parents, this beautiful community, and your educators and leaders, are celebrating with you,” Camacho said.

In closing, the education chief assured the promoted students and their parents that PSS along with the BOE would continue to support their educational journey.

“We know our leadership here from CNMI government down to BOE, have your back. What I mean when ‘we have your back’ is that, from your teachers to your school principal, PSS key management and our BOE leaders will be there to help you.”

He added, “As the acting chairperson said, the challenges that you’re going to face in high school are going to be there in front of you. But keep dreaming because I know you will be able to realize your dreams because we believe in you… that you can make it. Life is going to be good because we will be there to support all of you in your educational journey. So what you need to do now is continue learning, achieve through high school and make those dreams a realization.” (PR)