Hopwood wins Nutrition Month Fair prize for most participants

Hopwood Junior High School received a certificate and a cash prize of $270 for having the largest number of student participants during the recently held Nutrition Month Fair.

Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service program officers led by Joanne Ogo, together with the Nutrition Assistance Program director Walter Macaranas and the CNMI Diabetes Prevention and Control Program manager Tanya Camacho, handed over the certificate and the cash to Hopwood principal Jim Brewer and teacher Rory Starkey.

Starkey said he had required 46 of his 8th grade students to participate in the fair, not only for the extra credits in class but also to gain knowledge on healthier lifestyles.

“The students also had a good time [at the fair] and they didn’t even know they won,” Starkey said.

He said the cash prize they received would go to the acquisition of more athletic equipment for the students to enjoy during their spare time at school.

Eighth grader Ernest Cruz said he had enjoyed the fair, which had reminded him of how to have healthy eating habits.

Tyrone Tumaa said he enjoyed the fun activities as they focused on taking care of the body and how to live a healthy life.

“It was a fun experience,” said Genevieve Ngirabuch, adding that she learned a lot from the half-day fair.

Due to the positive feedback of his students, Starkey said the school had to invite the Nutrition Month committee to hold a short seminar at the school cafeteria where over 400 students attended and participated. “It was a delightful experience,” he said.

The Nutrition Month Fair was held on March 11 at Koblerville Sports Complex and gathered over 400 community members who took part in activities geared toward healthier living in the CNMI.

Ogo thanked Hopwood and the rest of the community members who showed interest in learning more about healthier living in the Commonwealth.

Some of the groups that participated during the fair were: Motheread/Fatheread Program, Community Guidance Center Tobacco Prevention Office, NMC-CREES 4H Youth Program, MCH Dental Clinic, HIV/STD Program, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Nutrition Assistance Program, Family Violence Task Force, Bureau of Environmental Health, CNMI Head Start Program, Ayuda Network, and Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition.

The CNMI Nutrition Month was declared early this month to promote continuing education on good nutrition practices in the CNMI.