Nationals receive support from SVES students

The men that will represent the CNMI in the basketball competition of the 6th Micronesian Games on received some assistance from a young but determined group last Friday.

Fifth grade students from San Vicente Elementary showed their support for the Micro Games and presented the Nationals with $30 that they raised the past two weeks.

The students worked under the guidance of teacher Betty Miller.

Miller said that the cage team was not the first to receive a lending hand from her students as the group also raised about $300 for the CNMI volleyball teams during a carnival held at the school last April 7.

“There we had a booth and each booth got a part of the proceeds, and my students decided they wanted to help the volleyball team,” Miller said. “It just to happen, Kelvin [Fitial] was there and he was helping the whole day, even though he doesn’t play in the team. So after that, my kids decided they wanted to help Kelvin and the basketball team.”

Fitial, as well as 11 other cagers were named to the CNMI cage team on Friday, and as a token of appreciation, coach Rufino Aguon invited the students to be on hand for the announcement.

Joining Fitial on the team are Danandro Barcinas, Jeremy Winkfield, John Sablan, Mel Manibusan, Mark Wallace, Jeremy Sablan, James Lee, Fred Pelisamen, Oscar Ada, James Villacrusis, and Gus Palacios. Serving as assistant coach is Alvin Fejeran, while Joe Kapileo is an alternate player.

Miller said her students raised the money by donating change from purchasing of snacks at school.

“There was a cup there and the kids just threw in their change into the cup and we were able to raise $30,” she said.

Miller said the $30 is just the start as her students have set a goal of raising $100 for the team.

“We’re going to try to do that by June 2, which our last day of school,” she said.

Not only were the students witness to the announcement of the team roster, but they also had the opportunity to practice and sharpen their skills with the National cagers, working on their shooting, layups, passing, and dribbling.

While expressing his appreciation to the group, Aguon said that with the $30, he will purchase sports tape for the players.

The students first got involved with supporting the Games after news broke that the CNMI was not going to host the Games earlier in the year.

“They were kind a disappointed,” she said, citing that her students created positive banners and posters that were used during a rally at the Governor’s Office. “The governor said that in order for us to host the Micro Games, we need the community’s support, so we brainstormed on what we can do to help and came up with the ideas of helping the teams.”

“This empowers children to know, it’s the little steps that make the big things happen,” Miller added.