[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 50 (Monday, April 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING HOPWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ON ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 15, 2013

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, just over 50 years ago, in the fall of 1962, 
the first school to offer secondary education in the Northern Mariana 
Islands was renamed Hopwood Junior Senior High School, in honor of 
Admiral Herbert Gladstone Hopwood, a Naval officer with 42 years of 
distinguished service to our country, including 3 years as Commander-
in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet.
  The school had been founded following the end of World War II, as our 
community turned from the harrowing years of desperate survival to the 
work of rebuilding our islands and improving the lives of those who 
lived there. The American administration of the Trust Territory of the 
Pacific Islands directed that uniform public education be implemented 
throughout Micronesia; and in September 1949 secondary education was 
introduced in the Northern Mariana Islands with the establishment of 
Saipan Intermediate School, offering classes for grades seven through 
nine.
  At first, the small school shared a campus with Chalan Kanoa 
Elementary School, but Saipan Intermediate moved to its own campus in 
the village of Chalan Piao in 1952, where classes were held in 
reconditioned wartime Quonset huts. The original curriculum included 
arithmetic, English, native languages, science, history, geography, 
domestic arts, crafts, vocational training, and music. Teacher training 
courses were also established.
  During these early years in the reconstruction of the Northern 
Mariana Islands educational options beyond ninth grade were limited. 
There were few private high schools and, prior to 1962, no public high 
schools. But the desire for formal educational advancement had already 
established a foothold in our society.
  In the late 1950's, Saipan Intermediate School was renamed Hopwood 
Intermediate School. And then in 1962, it was renamed Hopwood Junior 
Senior High School to recognize the enrollment of tenth grade students. 
This first class of public high school students in the Northern Mariana 
Islands then graduated from Hopwood in 1965.
  But Hopwood's time as a senior high school was short. In 1969 a new 
and larger public high school opened on Saipan; and Hopwood assumed its 
current name of Hopwood Junior High School.
  In the years since, the school has greatly expanded. The campus now 
includes vocational education buildings; an alternative school, Lina'la 
Malawasch Academy; and a performing arts building. Hopwood now has the 
second largest student body of any Saipan school, serving nearly 1,200 
young scholars.
  Along with improvements in the physical facility, so too have 
academic opportunities, student achievement and faculty development 
evolved. One significant milestone reflective of this ongoing 
advancement was reached in 1993, when the school was granted 
preliminary accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and 
Colleges. It continues today as a fully accredited member of WASC.
  Hopwood's motto is ``We Make Everyday the Best.'' This upbeat 
attitude is reflected in the faces and in the actions of the school's 
students, teachers, and staff alike. This drive to be the best is also 
reflected in the wide range of co-curricular and sports activities in 
which students participate and represent their school so well. By way 
of example, in recent years Hopwood Junior High students have won 
awards in the National Junior Forensic League regional competition, 
regional spelling bees, Academic Challenge Bowls, regional thespian 
competitions, and local essay and logo contests. This diversity extend 
to the athletic fields, as well, where Hopwood students have won 
numerous track and field, cross country, soccer, volleyball, and 
basketball competitions.
  From its humble beginnings in 1949 and to this day, Hopwood is 
recognized as an institution that has played a historic role in our 
community and that continues to serve a vital role in the lives of our 
students and our community. I have great confidence that the school 
will continue to distinguish itself in the years to come. And I offer 
my congratulations to all those who have been affiliated with Hopwood 
Junior High School over these many years--teachers, staff, students, 
alumni, and parents.

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