‘CNMI MSU event a success’

Local units successfully held the CNMI Multiple School Unit Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Significant Ceremony Saturday at the Puerto Rico Army Reserve Center.

According to CSM Doroteo Q. Aguigui, CNMI MSU JROTC Operations/JROTC program manager and representative from the Director of Army Instruction Office, cadets from all five JROTC programs on Tinian, Rota, and Saipan attended the event.

The programs consisted of 30 combined teams assembled at the center to undergo the challenges last weekend. A total of nine trophies were awarded to the winning first places and overall points winner.

Aguigui said, “All cadets in all the teams appeared to be highly motivated and prepared for the challenges.” The CNMI U.S. Army Reservists led by Staff Sgt. Noel Chargualaf evaluated and rated every event to determine the winners.

All evaluators are members of the infantry battalion based on Saipan and just recently returned home from deployment in Iraq.

“The evaluators did an absolutely outstanding and professional performance. Job well done!” added Aguigui.

Attending the event were Board of Education vice chairman Dino Jones, treasurer and secretary Marja Lee Taitano, board member Lucy Blanco-Maratita, Acting Commissioner of Education David M. Borja, Public School System officer Jackie Quitugua, Customs Director Jess Muna, Military and Veterans Affairs Office Director Martin Sablan, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Ernest Williams, Marianas High School principal Karen Borja, and Kagman High School Doreen Tudela.

Kagman High School, Marianas High School, Saipan Southern High School, Rota High School and Tinian High School participated in the event.

BOE secretary Taitano opened the ceremony followed by the inspection of the cadet formation.

List of winners

First Place, Armed Regulation Drill: Manta Ray Battalion, SSHS

First Place, Unarmed Regulation Drill: Manta Ray Battalion, SSHS

First Place, Karaoke Contest: Cadet Donovan Castro, Manta Ray Battalion, SSHS

First Place, Armed Exhibition Drill: Ayuyu Battalion, KHS

First Place, Saber Color Guard Team: Ayuyu Battalion, KHS

First Place, Rifle Color Guard Team: Dolphin Battalion, MHS

First Place, Unarmed Exhibition Drill: Dolphin Battalion, MHS

First Place, Cadet of the Year: Cadet Geanetta Cruz, Stallion Battalion, THS

First Place, Overall based on cumulative points: Rota Buck Battalion, RHS