Contests to promote Refalúwasch language and culture among youth

The Carolinian Affairs Office under director Victorino N. Igitol announced that it would host several contests beginning tonight in celebration of Cultural Heritage Month.

Events include the Speech Contest, Carolininan Attire Contest, and the first ever CAO Challenge Bowl.

According to CAO cultural program coordinator Angie W. Iginoef-Mangarero, all contests will be conducted at the Chamolinian Cultural Village in Garapan. All participants must be able to speak and understand the Carolinian language.

She said schools have already been notified of the contests, all of which carry the theme “Refalúwasch” or “Carolinian.”

The speech segment kicks off tonight’s celebration at 6pm and is open to students in 4th to 12th grade levels. All entries between 4th-6th grades must prepare a one-page (8 1/2 x 11’ size paper) speech, while two pages is the minimum for 7th and 8th grade students. High school students must prepare a three-page speech. Time requirement for the speech is between three to five minutes each.

Iginoef-Mangarero said the judging of the entries would focus on meeting the required number of pages, appropriate postures and gestures during the speech, appropriate content relating to the theme, and length of time of the speech, among others.

All winners will receive prizes, with victors in the elementary category taking home $60 for first place, $50 for second, and $40 for third. Junior high school winners will receive $70 for first, $60 for second, and $50 for third place, while high school winners will walk away with $80 for first, $70 for second, and $60 for third.

The Carolinian attire contest immediately follows at 8pm and is intended for youths between the ages of 2 and 8 years old.

Iginoef-Mangarero said participants must be fully adorned in Refalúwasch attire and would have to answer questions in the native language.

Prizes for the 2-3 years age group include $50 for first place, $40 for second, and $30 for third, while the 4-5 age group winners will receive $55 for first, $45 for second, and $35 for third. The 6-8 age group would receive $60 for first, $55 for second, and $50 for third.

Capping the contests is the Challenge Bowl, which would unfold at 6pm tomorrow evening. Qualifications include the ability to read, write, understand, and speak the language.

According to Iginoef-Mangarero, the contest features the task of translating phrases and answering questions.

Prizes range from $60 to $100, depending on grade level category. Competition is open to all grade levels.

Deadline for submission of entries was originally set for yesterday. However, Iginoef-Mangarero said entries would still be accepted no later than 4:30pm today. Awards will be presented on Sept. 30 beginning at 5:30pm.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta earlier declared September as Cultural Heritage Month. Events, aside from those already mentioned, include the traditional commemoration of Chief Aghurubw on Managaha Island held last Saturday and a special Mass for the chief and other traditional chiefs at San Jose Church this Sunday, Sept. 26, at 9am.