SEMINAL ISSUE The SHEFA Chronicle JULY 2010 A Quarterly Newsletter Volume I, Issue No. 01 The SHEFA Chronicle is a quarterly newsletter dedicated to learning as paid interns or volunteer updating the community on program interns (in partial fulfillment of a program information and events, and serves as graduation requirement); and pursuing a forum to recognize and celebrate the graduate level academic work. Actively accomplishments and achievements of searching for a job is just as important life scholars. The Chronicle also serves as moments after graduation. This vignette a useful tool for fine tuning both policy provides useful data and information formulation and program design and in refining job search skills and career delivery & contributes to the academic assessment intervention strategies way performance and social networks for in advanced of graduation from college. scholars. In this inaugural publication, For the initial and subsequent SHEFA is extremely fortunate to feature publications, the Chronicle will attempt two cooperating scholars in the workplace to capture in print the progress of SHEFA on Saipan and a scholar volunteer intern scholars in exemplary life moments in at a hospital in Hawaii last summer. college and in post-college life events. The objective is to provide a snapshot of Gainfully employed SHEFA real life moments in the postsecondary scholars on Saipan are Mr. Christopher lives of SHEFA scholars when they Attao Concepcion and Ms. Erin C. enter college, as they progress in their Camacho. Mr. Concepcion is presently studies and when they are ready to the Manager for Northwest Airlines at matriculate and enter the labor market, the Saipan International Airport while ready to contribute to the development Ms. Camacho works as the Dietician for and growth of the island of Saipan in the the Commonwealth Health Center in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Department of Public Health.. (NMC) and a former administrator at SHEFA is grateful to those cooperating Islands (CNMI). The series of fleeting the Public School System (PSS). For her scholars for their gracious participation moments details scholarly achievements The third cooperating scholar is Ms. part, Ms. Jackie Che, presently a graduate in the inaugural publication of The in extracurricular works; scholar Emma C. Itibus from Gualo Rai. student in San Diego, California, SHEFA Chronicle. involvement in campus-sponsored study Emma interned without pay at the graciously shared her reflections and abroad program; induction in the campus Queens Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii insights as a SHEFA scholar and a college In this seminal issue, the founding or the nation’s honors society; and last summer and presently a fourth- student in the U.S. Future issues will members of SHEFA are recognized for scholar participation or involvement in a year undergraduate at Hawaii Pacific highlight diverse student experiences their trailblazing work, accomplishment, national presidential scholars program. University (HPU) majoring in Pre- in and out ofcollege involving survival and service to the community. The Medicine with concentration in biology. skills, strategies in choosing majors, magnanimous support ot the 13th Just as valuable in taking timely partaking in leadership opportunities, Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative steps towards program development and The first feature scholar in The atlethics, volunteerism, career planning Delegation (SNILD) in initiating the first growth is capturing post-college life Chronicle’s Leadership Corner is and preparation strategies, and post- post-CNMI municpal postsecondary moments of scholars. Precious moments Ms. Cindy Guerrero, the Director graduate related opportunities (i.e., what financial assistance program with Saipan involve career building in different of Adminstration and Records at to expect after graduation and ways to Mayor Juan B. Tudela is duly recognized workplace setting; performing service the Northern Marianas College prepare for life outside of school) too. IN MEMORIAM Inside this issue Remembering Max Olopai & Howard Macaranas » Publisher’s foreward Following his pioneering stint as one of the first five members appointed by former Mayor Juan B. Tudela to the Board of Directors of the Saipan in memoriam Higher Education Financial Assistance (SHEFA), Mr. Maximo Olopai, » “Timmo”as he was best remembered, was untimely called by the Grace of the Almighty God. The late director was SHEFA’s first chairman of the SHEFA appeal committee. The committee dealt with student » Shefa pioneeres application denials; requests for reconsideration; clarifications on policy issues, and appeal hearings. Timmo, like the rest of his colleagues, was a lifetime educator, who brought a wealth of experience to the board Program Genesis with broad background in community development and social services. » Like his colleagues Howard Macaranas and Felicidad Ogumoro, he too once served as a representative in the Northern Marianas Legislature. Max Olopai » Profile of SHEFA & Scholars Mr. Howard I. Macaranas, a former USDA Loan Office-in-Charge and the longest serving Chairman of the Public School System (PSS) Head Start Policy Council and a former legislator, peaked in his career as the Director of Aging Program for the Commonwealth, joined the SHEFA » Reflections and board with vast education credentials. Mr. Macaranas hailed from the village of Garapan. Like appeal committee chairman Olopai who worked insights with board member Perry John Pangelinan, Director Macaranas worked in tandem with awards committee chairman Joe Guerrero since Fall 2004, until his untimely passing in April last year. Mr. Macaranas left » Leadership Corner behind many legacies, prominent among which as the longest serving & dedicated member of the SHEFA board since its inception in August 2004. Howard Macaranas » JOB links 2 SEMINAL ISSUE July 2010 Saipan Higher Education Assistance Program Pioneers Mayor Juan B. Tudela Chairwoman Felicidad T.Ogumoro Jose Leon Guerrero Maximo C.Olopai Howard I. Macaranas Perry John P. Tenorio SHEFA was the brainchild services to the residents of Saipan, the Humanities Council, Northern with Chairman Joe Guerrero in the of the 13th Saipan and Northern inclusive of those in the Northern Marianas College Foundation, and awards committee. Islands Legislative Delegation Islands. the Northern Marianas Academy Founder, among others. She holds a Mr. Perry Tenorio, Director of (SNILD) and SaipanBernie, Mayor Juan B. Tudela. The dedicated pioneering Driven by its focus along with Bachelor of Arts degree, and hails the Marianas Visitors Bureau and Please insert the message below under the ad. the expectation and commitment from Capitol Hill. Ms. Ogumoro led former Special Assistant to the CNMI members of theA heartfelt SHEFA congratulations Board to the participants of and winners, and especially to the th Directors werewinners the of the 26driving Annual Attorney force General’s toCup Speechdeveloping Competition. an effective local the program as overall chairperson State Board of Education, brings to Also, please make the necessary cropping for the workforce--picture above and provide a me workforcewith the that, upon since 2004 and is presently the the board considerable expertise in behind SHEFA’sfinal layout success for congresswoman’s during final itsreview. graduation from college, would Vice Speaker of the House of business and hospitality industry. formative yearsThanks, since its inception. readily fill the void in Saipan’s Representatives. He holds a college degree and All stakeholdersOfing were focused in carrying out the job market presently hails from Fina Sisu. imperative for a better occupied by foreign Mr. Jose Leon After Mr. Olopai’s defined and focused labor in private Guerrero brings a untimely passing, Mr. higher education businesses, the central wealth of experience Tenorio became chair assistance program, and local government, in education-- a retired of SHEFA’s appeal one based on defined local non-profit educator, who holds the committee. priorities for higher organizations like distinction of a lifetime education in response Karidat or the local territorial teacher The passing to the evolving Red Cross Chapter, training director at the of board members workforce needs of the or as independent CNMI Department of Olopai and Macaranas local labor market on contractors and Education (aka Public opened seats that were Saipan. entrepreneurs. School System), Mr. filled last year. Guerrero holds a Josephine Sablan, Since SHEFA’s inception in The four pioneering members Bachelors of Arts degree. He grew a management executive at the 2004, the board exercised due of the Board of Directors included: up in Chalan Kanoa and presently Community Guidance Center and diligence and complete objectivity 1. Felicidad Taman Ogumoro. 2. resides in Chalan Kiya. Mr. Guerrero a long-time educator at the Public over the implementation procedure Jose Leon Guerrero. 3. Howard is the longest serving chairman of School System, filled Olopai’s and process of the postsecondary Iglecias Macaranas. 4. Maximo SHEFA’s coveted award committee. unexpired term while John K. financial assistance program, as the Olopai “Timmo”, all experienced This committee performs initial Tenorio filled Macranas’s seat. program was envisioned to provide educators. screening of all applications before Ms. Sablan holds a M.A. degree in optimal and enduring benefits to they are forwarded for action by the education and previously worked both students