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<\/a>At the 34th NMC Commencement Rites tomorrow, Raissa Belle Alarca Ferrer, Tatiana A. Babauta, Querlaine Blas will be presented with the Academic Excellence Award in the bachelor\u2019s degree level, while Nicole Ichihara Sablan and Jan Kimberly Tecson Alcantra will get the same honor in the associate degree level.<\/p>\nNMC will be conferring about 160 associate and bachelor\u2019s degrees tomorrow at the Marianas High School Gymnasium beginning at 4:30pm.<\/p>\n
The five outstanding graduates shared their plans and visions with Saipan Tribune yesterday.<\/p>\n
Ferrer, who will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in elementary education, said she plans \u201cto start teaching in the Public School System. Also, I will further my education to obtain my master\u2019s degree.\u201d<\/p>\n
She credits her family, friends, and her significant other for always motivating her to succeed. \u201cThey\u2019re always there to support me no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n
Babauta attributed her achievement to what she describes as an \u201camazing support system\u201d\u2014her family, co-workers at Marianas Visitors Authority, instructors, her mentor at Karidat, and friends who encouraged her to pursue her goals and succeed in school.<\/p>\n
Babauta will graduate with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Education, Rehabilitation and Human Services emphasis. \u201cI plan to continue working at the Marinas Visitors Authority. My job at MVA gives me an opportunity to make valuable contribution to the community and work alongside great people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Blas, also graduating with a bachelor\u2019s degree in Education, Rehabilitation and Human Services emphasis, credits her faith, family, and friends for her latest accomplishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout my years of education I have been motivated by faith in God and the love and support of my friends and family. My parents and grandparents have instilled in us the importance of higher education and prayer is something I hold very dear. Also, my friends have always been there to encourage and guide me whenever I need it. I can only hope to do the same for them and others,\u201d she said. She plans to enter into the workforce after graduation.<\/p>\n
Like Babauta, Sablan, who will obtain her associate degree today, plans to continue working at MVA, saying it gives her the opportunity to make valuable contribution to the community and work with great people.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key motivation for me is my amazing support system. My No. 1 support system is my family; their love and support were the greatest motivation. My other support system is my co-workers at MVA, my instructors at NMC, and my friends,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Equally excited and proud of her achievement is Alcantra, who will graduate with an associate degree in nursing. <\/p>\n
\u201cAfter graduation, my first priority is to review for the NCLEX and hopefully pass it to become a licensed registered nurse. I will work as a graduate nurse first while attaining that goal. Soon after, I hope to continue my studies so that I may be a nurse practitioner or pursue a medical degree,\u201d she shared.<\/p>\n
For Alcantara, family and loved ones are her inspiration for everything, especially her parents who have been supporting her through all her endeavors. \u201cI am driven by the knowledge that is required for a medical career and how the ultimate goal in this career is to help those in need of such care in the community,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Hart said she is very proud of this year\u2019s most outstanding graduates.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely proud of our Academic Excellence Award recipients, who have worked tirelessly to earn their excellent grade point averages. We commend Nicole, Jan, Raissa, Tatiana, and Querlaine and all of our graduates of the Class of 2014 for their commitment to their education and their professional growth,\u201d Hart said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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