Adopt-A-Median project improves safety and visibility for students
(Capitol Hill, Saipan, The Marianas – March 16, 2022) - The Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers (GCEA) announced today the completion of another incredible community transformation by the Hopwood Middle School’s (HMS) National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) and the Student Council (STUCO) on March 8. The NJHS and STUCO members, with the supervision of Dr. Riya Nathrani and Ms. Esco Hocog Ulloa, rehabilitated and repainted the school’s curbs through GCEA’s Adopt-A-Median program to improve visibility and enhance safety on their campus.
Zack Camacho, an NJHS officer in the 8th grade, said the groups’ involvement in the GCEA Marianas Village Pride (MVP) Campaign improved the campus.
Camacho said, “I feel like this project that we worked on helped make the school more attractive and welcoming. It is important to participate in projects like this so that student leaders can help make their school and community a better place to learn. It also helps students understand the importance of service in the community.”
As for HMS’ STUCO Vice-President Mary Evani Larioza, she found the project to be an enjoyable activity with fellow students.
Larioza said, “I found it (Adopt-A-Median project) fun. I got to paint with my partners and experience what it’s like for people that do jobs like this. It’s nice to participate in these types of projects because you get to help your school and experience something new.”
Students were also asked how they can encourage other CNMI Public School System students and community members.
Walter Josh Clave, STUCO president in the 6th grade, added that it’s important for students to participate in these activities to build motivation, creativity, and most of all, self-confidence.
James Mercader, NJHS President in the 8th grade, noted, “I can persuade others by telling them how fun it was to work with other students and to build teamwork. Also, I can tell them about the importance of giving back to our community and completing projects like this that will benefit the students at Hopwood Middle School.”
Princess Rigua, the STUCO President in the 7th grade, added, “It would be fun if prizes were offered for completing the project and also creating student video announcements to be shown to each school so they can be motivated to join this campaign!”
Dr. Nathrani shared how wonderful it was to see the students come together and work on a community service project.
Dr. Nathrani said, “It helped them take pride and ownership of their school campus and village by working towards a common goal. We're fortunate to be back at our campus in Chalan Piao and the students wanted to take part in beautifying it. I hope to see more school and village beautification projects in the future. HMS will be going out again, this time, to paint the crosswalk in front of their facility.”
GCEA thanks the HMS students and teachers for volunteering their time to give back to their community. As a result, all HMS students will enjoy a safer, more visible pick-up/drop-off experience. GCEA welcomes more schools to join the Adopt-A-Median program and take active roles in improving safety for students.
Before and after photos can be found on GCEA’s Facebook page (@cnmieconomy). For more information about the Adopt-A-Median program and the Marianas Village Pride Campaign, visit the GCEA website at cnmieconomy.com or contact the council at gceacnmi@gmail.com. All GCEA Public Private Partnership projects are made possible by the support of the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan’s public benefit fund with the Department of Public Lands.
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About the Adopt-A-Median program
The Adopt-A-Median program is an integral part of the GCEA’s Marianas Village Pride campaign and the Public Private Partnership Program. GCEA is actively welcoming groups of volunteers to adopt sites in every village in Rota, Tinian, and Saipan. Schools, groups, families, and businesses can adopt, clean, and paint medians, sidewalks, lots, or crosswalks in their villages. GCEA will provide the supplies. For the safety of the students, GCEA recommends that school groups adopt sidewalks and crosswalks around their campuses.
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Media Contact: Edna Nisola
Governor’s Council of Economic Advisers