Manabat and Melchor lead MHS’ Class of 2011

Alvijane Manabat and Holley Melchor were named the most outstanding students of Marianas High School during commencement exercises Saturday night at the campus gymnasium.

Manabat was named the school’s valedictorian while Melchor was the salutatorian.

Alvijane, 18, the daughter of Albert and Joyce Manabat, will go on to college at the Guam Community College to pursue a degree in education.

“It feels great! I am so happy that all the hard work finally paid off. I thank my family and my mentors because without their support and guidance, this is not possible [for me],” she told Saipan Tribune, adding that the honor was unexpected.

This year, Marianas High School kept the names of its top honorees secret until the actual awarding rites itself.

Like Manabat, Melchor admitted that he didn’t expect the award. However, he is proud and happy with his accomplishment.

Melchor, 17, is the son of Roderick and Marilou Melchor. He will pursue forensic science at the Central Texas College this fall semester. Later, Melchor wants to pursue related programs at Rice University in Texas and Tokyo University in Japan.

Board of Education chair Marylou Ada and member Herman T. Guerrero awarded this year’s Board of Education Award to Manabat while Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan gave the Commissioner of Education Award to Melchor.

Acting governor Eloy Inos chose Frankie Deleon Guerrero as this year’s Governor’s Awardee while MHS principal Craig Garrison named Jason Charles Pangelinan as the Principal’s Awardee for 2011.

Besides Manabat and Melchor, the other top 10 graduates were Grace Lee, Dowen Jocson, Eileen Echaluse, Krystal Anade, Kathleen Basa, Mi Ri Kim, Olivia Leung, and Michelle Marie Santos.

MHS conferred high school diplomas on 262 graduates this school year. A large bulk of the class will go on to college this fall semester.

This year’s commencement theme was, “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”

Commissioner Sablan, during her inspiration message, also honored students who were accepted to the U.S. Marine Corps this year.

Saturday’s graduation was also attended by U.S. Delegate Gregorio Sablan, officers of the school’s PTSA, and hundreds of parents and families of the graduates.