Marianas Princess lines up community projects

2006 Little Miss Marianas Princess Ignacia F. Palacios has been hard at work these past few weeks, from volunteering at yard sales and walkathons to giving out awards and winning at the National Forensic League.

“Nasia is a bright, energetic and wonderful young girl and she has the community in her heart—great qualities for one of the islands’ youngest ambassadors,” said Stellar Marianas National Director Jennifer W. Aguon.

Ignacia recently won second place in the elementary Impromptu Speech division and fourth place in the Duo Interpretation contest.

“She has been participating in NFL for a long time and she loves it,” says her mother, Grace F. Palacios.

“My favorite kind of competition in the NFL is the Duo contest because you get to pick a poem you like and express yourself with it,” said Ignacia.

“One of my favorite poems is Homework or Homework. It is about this little boy who hated homework and is funny,” she smiled.

But the young princess was quick to add that she loves homework. “It helps me learn more about the subject and if you get it wrong the first time, you could always go back and fix it,” she said.

During the CHC Walkathon held earlier last month, Ignacia encouraged participants by taking pictures with them and passing out goodie bags.

Before the sun rose, Ignacia was already busily helping to prepare for the walkathon, handing out toothbrushes, floss and pedometers, which aimed to raise funds for the CHC Volunteers Association.

Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts, one of the islands’ popular dance schools, held a yard sale to raise funds for an upcoming production.

Ignacia was only glad to help. “It was fun being out there and seeing people come and support the Academy. I also felt good being with my classmates and helping my teacher,” she said.

Ignacia takes ballet lessons and hopes to be a professional ballerina one day.

“If I don’t get to be a ballerina, I would like to be a nurse. I love helping people,” she said.

Ignacia, along with Little Miss Marianas Opal H. Northen, also assisted in the recent Miss Saipan event at Hotel Nikko, a promotion for a Japanese film that will feature some of the CNMI’s popular tourist spots.

Over a hundred guests and film crew members gathered at Hotel Nikko Theater Hall to crown one of three finalists for the Miss Saipan title and Ignacia and Opal helped crown the winner.

The young princess, an honor student at Dandan School Elementary, plans to be in more community activities and wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]