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Catienza tops 234 Dolphins in graduation
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Posted on Jun 04 2005
By Cassie Dlg Fejeran
Special to the Saipan Tribune
The Marianas High School gym was packed Friday evening as family and friends came to witness the graduation of some 234 MHS graduates.
Lorraine Catienza received the valedictorian award after showing consistent academic performance for four years
Catienza urged the graduates to never give up on the challenges that life brings. “Our lives ahead will have many challenges and obstacles but I guarantee that the lessons we have learned and the memories of our high school years will help us overcome them.”
“With the knowledge that we have acquired through 12 years of education, we will surely illuminate the future,” she added.
In her salutatory speech, Na Sil Heo explained the purpose of education as told to her by her parents. “My parents often told me [that] education is useless unless [you] use it to serve others.”
Na believes that, although education is important and highly regarded by many people, it should not be the ultimate goal of life. “[Education] is a tool that can be obtained so that one can discover his/her ultimate goal. I have found mine with the help of my family, friends, MHS faculty, staff and our community.”
The ceremony honored graduates receiving the governor’s award, principal’s award, MHS community council award, mayor’s community service award, and MHS alumni association award.
On hand to praise the graduates were Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, Education Commissioner Rita Inos, and teacher representative Ambrose Bennett, among others.
Graduates ended the ceremony with their last walk, as parents gathered around to take pictures.
“The graduation was more than I expected it to be. The look on my family, friends, and most especially my brother Ping after the ceremony was unforgettable,” said Marlena Deleon Guerrero, one of the graduates.
