38 students inducted to GES Honor Society

The Garapan Elementary School Honor Society took center stage Friday evening during its 7th Annual Induction Ceremony at the Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, with 38 students between grades 4 to 6 becoming official members of the prestigious organization.

The ceremony, attended by parents, supporters, family, as well as Education Commissioner Dr. Rita H. Inos and Justice Alexander C. Castro, included various performances by the students, followed by dinner.

“These are 38 of what we like to think of our brightest students,” said GES principal Yvonne R. Gomez. “They are academic achievers, which means each of them has to go through rigorous academic standards. It’s not just to get all As, but they have to get certain percentage over 93, so none of them have a low A at all.”

Gomez explained that getting good grades is not all the members have to accomplish while being part of the honor society.

“They also have character standards that they have to achieve,” she said. “All of them have excellent characters and they have to keep it up. Part of being an honor society member is being part of not only charitable events but taking part in academic challenge bowls, different extra curricular activities including sports, the National Forensics League, spelling bees, geography bees, math Olympiads and they have uphold that activities in order to remain in the honor society.”

Gomez said many students have worked hard on trying to become members of the honor society, and thus, making it a prestigious accomplishment for all members inducted.

“We have some that are saying ‘oh gosh, I’m leaving sixth grade, am I ever going to the honor society.’ But they’ve done it through perseverance, motivation, and a willingness to keep going.

“They’re leaders by nature. Almost half are here for second or third time. These are kids who are used to striving for excellence, [they’re used] to reaching for top goal.”

She said the path to accomplishing their goals to be part of the honor society, as well as the requirements while being members, would enhance their personalities in continuing to strive for excellence.

“First of all, this teaches them that you can achieve anything you want to because most of them have really wanted to be inducted. Most have tried and tried and they’ve come so close sometimes its just a matter of a few points on a grade level and they’ve tried year after year, and they’re finally up here,” she said.

For her part, Gomez said seeing accomplishments such as ones the members have achieved, in a sense, is an accomplishment for her as well as her staff and the Public School System.

“It feels so good,” she said. “You just sit there with a smile on your face and your just so proud not just that these kids are in the honor society, but you really look at them and you know that this is the future of the CNMI. We’re not going [to be] in a bad path.