MHS students donate money to Ballesteros family

The junior class at Marianas High School yesterday gave $110 to the widow of slain security guard Efren L. Ballesteros.

Junior class president Klynne Serrano and junior class treasurer Arisha Nishimura presented Adelaida Abella with the money as well as toys for Ballesteros’ and Abella’s two sons.

Abella said she would use the money to help pay for her sons’ expenses.

For the last two weeks, students were asked to donate whatever they could during homeroom, Nishimura said, adding that the idea only came up recently.

“But we thought it was better late than never,” Serrano added.

Karen Borja, principal of MHS, said she was proud of the students’ generosity.

“As far as students and fundraising, I feel it’s always important to give back to the community. It’s important to share the generosity,” she said.

Ballesteros, 45, was found dead at the MHS campus in Susupe where he was assigned in the morning of Nov. 18, 2008. He received massive injuries to the face and head caused by blunt objects. He also suffered a possible fractured skull, police said.

Three teenagers—Edward Blas, Randy Igisomar, and Eric Rabauliman—have pleaded not guilty in the case.

The Saipan Pacific Winds, the CNMI’s sole community concert band, will be holding a fundraising concert for the family of Ballesteros on Dec. 22 at the Pacific Islands Club in San Antonio.