Western Pacific Maritime Academy graduates 47

Western Pacific Maritime Academy recently graduated 47 students from their program and immediately gave them the rank of midshipmen—setting sail the dreams and opening a wide door of opportunities in maritime for these bright individuals.

The graduation ceremony took place last Saturday afternoon at the Court of Honor at the American Memorial Park in Garapan. The graduates were a mix of individuals hailing from the Marianas High School, Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High School, Dr Rita Hocog Inos Jr. Sr. High School, Tinian Jr. Sr. High School, Da’ok Academy, and the Workforce Investment Agency.

The ceremony drew the cohort’s family and friends, dignitaries, and lawmakers.

The graduating midshipmen from Saipan Southern High School were Alwayne Aldan, Yu Ling Chai, Draeshia Manglona, Matthew Peters, and Shyleen Santos.

Marianas High School’s graduating midshipmen were Darlyn Atalig, Jiang Banatlao, Peaches Bayot, Jacob Calvo, Josh Reyes, and Hayden Sablan.

Elicyn Aguon Presto, Raymond Borden, Colton Cruz, Zachary Dafrow, Stanley Delia, Marvin Reyes, Leanalyn Reyes, Robbie Salita, Michael Tomokane, Francisco Villagomez, and Kenshiro Yanai were the graduating midshipmen from Kagman High School.

From Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School, graduating midshipmen were Alwayne Bermeo, Freya Greathouse, Son Joe Manuel, Jonathan Mereb, Perry Mesngon II, Sophia Songsong, and John Tobonganua.

Noah Cepeda, Jaydoria Cruz, Annabel Kiyoshi, Devyani Pandey, Redenald Patio, Moses Reyes, and Hong Zang were the graduating midshipmen from Tinian Jr./Sr. High School.

Da’ok Academy’s midshipmen graduates were Frank Baza, Landon Delos Reyes, Canfrancia Fitial, Juan Inos, and Tristan Manglona.

Christian Alepuyo, Michael Busby, Schneider Lanzo, Meagan Smith, Robert Smith, and Kayona Takami were the midshipmen graduates from WIA.

Through their time involved in the WPMA, a non-profit corporation, these individuals were able to undergo maritime training and gain better understanding of seafaring, and will be able to upgrade their merchant marine credentials.

During his remarks, WPMA executive director Capt. Michael W. Bacher highlighted the significance of this milestone, noting that the graduates now have the opportunity to earn substantial income to support their families.

Bacher emphasized that this achievement is not just personal but also a triumph for the CNMI.

“These young men and women are the best among the best that you have here. They really are because they are going to be the ones that are going to support your economy for many years,” said Bacher, while adding that one of their first cohort participants, Jason Tenorio, is now serving off the coast of Saipan.

He pointed out that once working, the new mariners’ salaries will be able to cover the cost of their education within the first year of employment, underscoring the academy’s positive impact on both the mariners and the broader community.

He said the investment in their education through WPMA costs about $5,000 per individual. As an entry-level mariner, they can earn $7,000 a month or $60,000 a year, and that means through their income taxes, the graduates will be able to pay off the educational investment in the first month of work. “And there’s no other program that is offered here on Saipan with that type of return on an investment.”

Bacher also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the WPMA board of trustees and staff, CNMI government officials, the Board of Education, and the parents and peers who supported the graduates and also the industry leaders who will employ the graduates.

He also acknowledged the vital contributions of high school principals, counselors, Da’ok Academy, WIA, and Commissioner Education Dr. Lawrence F. Camacho. He also shared that due to success of the program, opportunities to expand the program were beginning to open in the neighboring islands of Guam and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Military Sealift Command counsel Tim Murphy was the keynote speaker that afternoon and he highlighted the importance of the maritime industry and the vast opportunities the graduates had in their hands.

“You have learned a trade that is as important as ever. Ninety percent of international commerce is done over the sea.”

He looks forward to work with some of these individuals should they choose a path with MSC. “The ships are not the most important part of MSC… The most important asset of MSC is our civilian mariners.These women and men employed by MSC are the heart… without them there would be no MSC.”

He shared that these young mariners had so many opportunities open for them but asked the cohort what path they would choose.

“What path will you choose? Whatever that path is, I can assure you that the key to your success you have learned at home from loving parents and grandparents.”

He also shared what his father had done for him when he was also making life choices.

“In honor of all fathers on this Father’s Day weekend, I provide you, and honor my father, with a blessing is that he would give me when I was choosing a path and it’s the same blessing it’s an Irish blessing and an anonymous blessing… and when I share it with you now when you hear the words of the Irish blessing, when you hear the word ‘road’ think of the journey of our lives, when you think of the word ‘wind’ think of the guiding hand. In my faith’s tradition it’s the Holy Spirit, when you hear the word ‘sun’ think of your blessings, when you hear ‘rain’ think of collective and individual sorrows.”