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Pangelinan tops SSHS Class of ‘05
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Posted on Jun 04 2005
“Look ma, I’m shining,” said 2005 Saipan Southern High School valedictorian Roxanne Castro Pangelinan during her speech.
It was a proud moment for Pangelinan, who held back tears as she grabbed the microphone and went down the stage in her socks to deliver her speech to her fellow graduates.
Pangelinan thanked her parents, especially her mom, for all the hard work they had put in for her to finish school. She said that having simple pleasures in life could make a person happy.
Salutatorian Rei Joyce Gregorio Taman also could not hold her emotions back, sharing with everybody how “super girl” she was all these years as she tried to do everything she could at a very young age. “I have lived a very complicated life,” she said. Taman said she has now learned to outline her priorities.
Pangelinan also received the Board of Education Award for her outstanding academic achievement while Taman received the Commissioner’s Award. Both Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos and BOE chair Roman C. Benavente provided congratulatory remarks and presented the awards to the graduating honor students.
Taman also got the Governor’s Award, presented by acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente. The Mayor’s Award, presented by Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, went to Leo Masters Jr.; the Principal’s Award went to Rose Marie B. Wakit; the PTA Council Award went to Jonathan Dennis T. Teregeyo Jr.; and the OFEGRA Award went to Christine A. Acera.
Principal Peter James Le’au gave his welcome remarks and Jared Lutu, the senior class adviser, was the keynote speaker. Lutu appealed to parents to support their children’s higher education, especially those who want to go on to college.
