Previous Story
Borja ‘blown way’ by students’ inquisitiveness
|
Posted on Mar 24 2005
Children ask the funniest questions. This proved true during Wednesday’s Peacebuilders Diners Club workshop at William S. Reyes Elementary School, according to vice principal Lynette Villagomez.
“Are you a doctor?” she recalled the question when children asked guest “wise man” Dr. David M. Borja, Board of Education associate commissioner for administrative services.
Borja said he was happy to be invited to speak in front of 52 young students to talk about his profession. He laughed at the time when he was asked whether he was a doctor who can cure people but he ended up answering, “I am a doctor of learning.”
Borja was recognized early this year for being the first Chamorro of Northern Marianas descent to receive a doctorate degree in Business Administration from California Coast University.
“I was very pleased on their level of understanding,” said Borja, recalling how he managed to communicate with the children. He further answered the children that there are different kinds of doctors, such as medical doctors who cure people, and veterinary doctors who cure animals.
Part of a Peacebuilder’s motto is to seek wise people, so Borja gave inspirational messages to the students reminding them to always remember the golden rule: “Do unto others, as you would have others do unto you.”
Students also asked Borja what his favorite subject was and he said math. “Because I found I could add, subtract, multiply, and divide,” he added. He said the children laughed when he told them he learned math first before writing.
Borja said he was blown away by the response of the students and the understanding they possess. He commended the school for such programs like Peacebuilders for inculcating positive attitude among students and their families.
Villagomez said they invited the associate commissioner for the students to understand how his profession contributes to peace building in the CNMI community.
“The kids were very excited and very attentive,” she said, while Borja was sharing his experiences with them.
Villagomez said the club aims to be active in the crusade to prevent violence in the community through activities that will encourage children to obtain positive values while they are still young.
