AT Marianas High School’s commencement ceremony on Monday, June 2, friends and top graduates Jedric Aniciete and Gwanpil Son addressed their class of 388 graduating seniors.
Aniciete is the valedictorian, while Son is the salutatorian. Because they “do everything together” and have been classmates since elementary school, they concluded their high school journey with a joint address, stepping up to the microphone together.
Son challenged their classmates to “share [their] knowledge, talents, and experience with everyone in your life.”
“When we look into the audience, we see a class full of bright-minded, talented, and ambitious students, who will undoubtedly change the world wherever they’ll be,” Aniciete added. “However, none of us could have done it without the help of others. There were many times I almost folded, but as I was about to, I thought about the people in my life. I think about the upperclassmen who inspired me with their accomplishments. My overseas friends, who promised to visit Saipan for me. My close friend [Son] who has been there for me in every competition. And I think about my mom…. After every failure since elementary, [she] has always reminded me of how proud she is of what I’ve accomplished. So now, as we enter our engineering careers and help others in our path, it is not just for us, but for those who took us here.”
Son said: “Be that person that pushes others toward their success. Be the mentor they never knew they had. Be the inspiration that creates the next Einstein, Michael Jackson, and LeBron James.”
The rest of the top 10 graduates were: (3) Kelly Zheng, (4) Jia Nicdao, (5) Si Jin Cheng, (6) Yu Xin Chen, (7) Hannah Lim, (8) Irene Wan, (9) Koey Pan, and (10) Mathea Deocares.
Other awardees
Governor’s Award — Jia Nicdao
Lt. Governor’s Award — Jerome Manzon
Mayor’s Award — Sylvia Sanchez
Outstanding Female Graduate —Kelly Zheng
Principal’s Award — Trivia Naka
Dolphin Award — Marianas Aldan
English Language Award — Si Jin Cheng, Gwanpil Son
Mathematics Award — Gwanpil Son, Jedric Aniciete
Science Award — Gwanpil Son, Jedric Aniciete
Social Studies Award — Hannah Lim, Julia Taitano
Physical Education Award — Yerma Camacho, Ashroy Mallik
Career Technical Education — Jedric Aniciete, Jenny Zhang
Language Other Than English Award — Trinicia Lizama, Sunny Ma
JROTC Award — Savannah Flores, Juddah Torres.
Psychology Award — Mary Legaspi, Ashley Corpuz
Outstanding Male Athlete Award — Jerome Manzon
Outstanding Female Athlete Award — Rizza Relucio
MHS Leadership Award — Yu Xin Chen
A new beginning
Their acting school principal, Melanie Rdiall, reminded the graduates that they were on the “shore of a new beginning” and to “swim like the dolphins” that they are through life. The dolphin is MHS’ mascot.
“All of you as freshmen dove into Marianas High School with doubt,” she said. “Some of you weren’t too sure what you’re capable of, what you were going to be, what you are going to do or where the current will take you. There’s a saying: a smooth sea does not make you a skilled sailor. Likewise, a smooth sea does not make you a skilled swimmer. Such is life, my graduates. There will be days where you’re going to get pushed in the deep water. You will have those days where you will face the current and it’s those days that you face your challenges with resiliency so that it builds your stamina and your skills. When you’re building on that, build quietly and let your success be the Lord’s.”
Comfort zone
The keynote speaker was former U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, who urged the graduates to “get outside of your comfort zone.”
He said he has been “getting lost” for most of his life. As a child, he would wander through Chalan Kanoa and walk as far as Kobler Field, which was an airport at the time.
Later he would “get lost in Micronesia,” living in Truk (Chuuk) during the Trust Territory era, and then taking boats to “island hop” to places as far away as Kosrae, Majuro, the Mortlocks, and beyond.
When he finally returned to Marianas High School, where he would eventually graduate, he continued to “get lost.”
“Something went wrong, I learned to skip classes,” he said in jest. “None of you have ever done that, I know.”
He added, “When I was selected your delegate and representative to the United States Congress, I would often get lost in the Capitol. I used to get lost navigating the subways or walking the many state avenues or streets. I’d get lost in the mini-garden throughout the Smithsonian and the numerous parts [of] the city. There were those times when I also got lost in the politics and policies that converged on our nation’s Capitol,” he added.
He said in all his wanderings, although he “got lost” in new experiences, “that doesn’t mean I lost myself.”
“No, in fact, by getting lost I found more about myself and the world around me,” he said. “When you’re weaving your way through the halls of Congress to find out how much you and your people belong there, you find the voice and the know-how to fight, to fight for your people despite the intimidating White House officials, committee chairs, and leadership. But I never would have found those changes by staying comfortable in one place, and neither should you.”
He said the graduates should not seek “safe spaces.” Instead, they should “get lost in brave spaces.”
“Get out of your comfort zone. How else are you going to learn about yourself, about other people and about the world? Because there’s more to you than you probably ever realized, and today’s graduation is only a glimpse into what’s left to learn about yourself and how much more you need to grow.”
The top 10 graduates, from left: Jedric Aniciete, Gwanpil Son, Kelly Zheng, Jia Nicdao, Si Jin Cheng, Yu Xin Chen, Hannah Lim, Irene Wan, Koey Pan and Mathea Deocares.
Valedictorian Jedric Aniciete, left, and salutatorian Gwanpil Son deliver a joint address.
Former U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan delivers his remarks.
Marianas High School’s Class of 2025
From left, acting MHS Principal Melanie Rdiall, Vice Principal Preston Basa, and Vice Principal Romolo Orsini.
