The Saipan Seventh-day Adventist School marked three decades of providing Christian education to students on island last June 1 with a celebration highlighting the school\u2019s achievements and the folks who have played a vital role in the school\u2019s success through the years.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s event kicked off past 9am with a motorcade involving Saipan SDA School students on board school buses and private vehicles bedecked with balloons in green and white, the proud colors of the school whose elementary campus is located in San Antonio across from Afetnas Square.<\/p>\n
The motorcade passed through Koblerville then As Lito before going downhill past the Northern Marianas College campus then navigating along Beach Road to go back to its starting point where the anniversary program was held.<\/p>\n
Besides the management, staff, students, and parents of Saipan SDA School, other SDA officials, government dignitaries, and other school supporters were also in attendance to commemorate the school\u2019s significant milestone.<\/p>\n
Pastor Louis Torres, president of the Guam-Micronesia Mission of SDA, congratulated the Saipan SDA School for 30 years of \u201cmaking an impact and having an influence\u201d among its student population.<\/p>\n
Citing the importance of Christian education, Torres said that the reason why private schools offer better education than the public schools is that the former has \u201cthe privilege and freedom to talk about God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Torres, who shared that he got into gangs when he attended public schools, said it was a \u201cblessing\u201d for him to support Christian education for 42 years and counting.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs parents, we want our children to do well. In providing spiritual and academic excellence, we are able to provide the best we can for our children,\u201d added Torres, noting that children \u201care a gift of God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having been a product of a private and faith-based school himself, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos attested to the quality of education from institutions \u201cwhere academic and character development\u201d are both valued and where students learn the \u201cvaluable\u201d lessons of citizenship, character and faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe story of SDA is also one of faith,\u201d said Inos. \u201cYou had a vision to enrich this community through education. After 30 years of growth, your small seed of faith has grown into a tree that is bearing fruit in our community. You have proven what can be done with vision and hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inos urged the Saipan SDA School to help the administration\u2019s vision of a Commonwealth of \u201cgood-paying jobs, quality education, excellent healthcare, safe neighborhoods, strong families, and much more\u201d a reality through prayers for wisdom and strength.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay your educational legacy live on in the Commonwealth,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Robin Lizama Palacios, an alumna who works with the Public School System, recounted her time at Saipan SDA School where she learned \u201cmany foundational skills that have assisted me throughout my education which led to my success and accomplishments.\u201d<\/p>\n
Palacios, now a doting mother of three, said that she also enrolled her children at Saipan SDA School so they, too, can get quality education and have the opportunity to earn \u201cvaluable life skill.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronald Sablan, a parent of a current student, said he chose Saipan SDA school so his child will know about values \u201cin a learning environment we felt made our parental responsibilities more manageable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sablan added that he has faith and confidence in the institution which takes focus on \u201cquality and fine education\u201d through its national school programs and helps build a non-competing learning environment with diversity \u201cfor a better understanding of the small world around us.\u201d<\/p>\n
U.S. Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan congratulated Saipan SDA School and presented a plaque to principal Michael Berglund. The plaque, however, will have to be altered since it bears 25th anniversary commendation, as Sablan was told.<\/p>\n
\u201cI applaud the role that each of you have played in the accomplishments of this school and I look forward to seeing you all build from those accomplishments to achieve even greater successes over the next 30 years for yourselves and for all of us here in the Northern Marianas,\u201d he said in his remarks.<\/p>\n
Mayor Donald G. Flores, for his part, recognized that the Saipan SDA School is based on biblical principles. \u201cYou have come a long way and I salute you for the hard work you have done in teaching our children God\u2019s word and that applying such wisdom is necessary for everyday living.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is so important to have education that is based on Christian values and principles and we are so pleased to be able to provide that by God\u2019s grace\u2026 Providing this education would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of the principals, teachers, and support staff,\u201d said Dr. Ken Pierson, clinic director of SDA Dental Clinic, in his closing remarks.<\/p>\n
Students of Saipan SDA School performed intermission numbers during the program. Healthy lunch was served following Friday\u2019s event.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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