NMC students awarded scholarships worth $2K

HONOLULU— Tanya Oscar and Sophia Suda of Northern Marianas College were two of six recipients of scholarships from Pacific Islanders in Communications, a national media arts nonprofit organization.

PIC is based in Honolulu, Hawaii and was created to support, advance, and develop Pacific Island media content and talent that results in a deeper understanding of Pacific Island history, culture, and contemporary challenges.

Both NMC students will get $2,000 in scholarship money from PIC. Oscar is the daughter of Damigo Oscar and Oscar Henry, while Suda is the daughter of Mark and Yuri Suda. Both families hail from Saipan.

The other recipient of the $2,000 scholarship is Angela Sablan of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Sablan is the daughter of Vincent and Agnes Cruz Sablan of Dededo and Agana Heights, Guam.

Kapi’olani Lee of San Francisco State University, Kevin Ka’ahanui of Menlo College, and Hotavia Gingerlei Porter of the University of Hawaii at Manoa each received scholarships worth $3,000.

Lee is daughter of Richard and Katherine Lee of Poulsbo, Washington; Ka’ahanui is the daughter of Kevin Sr. and Dana Ka’ahanui of Ho’olehua, Hawaii; while Porter is the daughter of Marsten and Wilma Porter of Pago Pago, American Samoa.

This year, PIC has awarded $15,000 in scholarships to he six students pursuing college degrees in media and/or communications.

Each recipient has strong ties to Pacific Island culture and is embarking on an educational journey to enhance awareness of indigenous peoples through a career in film, video, or new media.

“Not only are these talented students dedicated to advancing Pacific Island culture through film, video and new media,” says PIC executive director Ruth Bolan, “but they represent the next generation of storytellers. Like their ancestors before them, they will preserve Pacific Island customs and traditions through a visual medium instead of an oral tradition. We are proud to assist these students, their stories will inspire and remind future generations of the strength and brilliance of the Pacific Island people.”

The students awarded have lofty ambitions. With goals ranging from becoming a Hollywood producer (Ka’ahanui) to opening a theatre in Saipan (Suda), the students are well on their way to cultivating interest and promoting the history of their indigenous cultures.

Porter, for instance, is committed to bridging the geographical gap between American Samoa, her homeland, and the Northern Marianas Islands.

“Through education and career focus, I hope to document the development of distance education programs for cultural enrichment in American Samoa,” Porter says.

With the assistance of the Telecommunications and Information Policy Group, a group Porter has collaborated with, she has already learned the program utilizing Satellite technology (PEACESAT.) Recently obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies,

Porter, with the help of the PIC scholarship, is currently pursuing a Masters degree at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, studying communications. For information to apply for next year’s scholarship, please visit www.piccom.org.

Scholarships are supported by the PIC endowment fund. Primary funding for the organization is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For more information, go to www.piccom.org or call (808) 591-0059. (PR)