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Johnson, Benjamin top Chacha promotional rites
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Posted on Jun 10 2005
Erika K. Johnson finished 8th grade as valedictorian and was duly recognized for her achievement during yesterday’s Chacha Oceanview Junior High School Promotional Ceremony held at the schools’ basketball court.
Johnson also took home the coveted Board of Education Award as well as other special awards.
In her speech, she thanked her fellow graduates and the teachers who inspired her, as well as her parents whom she credited for being her main inspiration and the ones who made her attain what she said seemed unbelievable for her.
Naomi DLG. Benjamin was this year’s salutatorian. She also received the equally acclaimed Commissioner’s Award. Benjamin burst into tears during her salutatory address.
She dedicated her speech to her sister, Nicole. She also shared her achievement with classmates, parents, and guests who have relatives deployed in Iraq.
The Principal’s Leadership Award went to Mercilynn C. Kaneshi. Her adviser, Ruth Bigalbal, said the award is given to the student who had shown academic excellence, leadership, character, and service to the school and shared her talents and gift of leadership, while serving as a role model to fellow classmates.
Other graduates who made it to the honor roll were Terrance Duenas, Jerro Jones, Kenneth Kaneshi, Mercedes Margarette Wesley, Querlaine Brittney Blas, Daisy Lynn Demapan, Micaela Johanna Demapan, and Ashley Fujihira.
Keynote speaker during the ceremony was the 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year Lavena C. Babauta.
The Board of Education came in full force during the event, with chair Roman C. Benavente and vice chair Dino Jones both present. Teacher representative Ambrose Bennett, Public School System associate commissioner David M. Borja, and finance director Richard Waldo were also in attendance. Lawmakers also joined the students in their promotion to 9th grade.
The 262 students will not be moving out of the school, though, due to the recently approved move by the BOE and PSS to retain them at Chacha Junior High School due to the problem of overcrowding in Kagman schools.
