[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 126 (Thursday, July 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS INTERNATIONAL THESPIAN 
                              SOCIETY TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                    of the northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2018

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the 31 young men and 
women from the Northern Mariana Islands who performed so admirably at 
the International Thespian Society Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska last 
week. Marianas team members earned Superior Medals and even perfect 
scores at the event.
  Winners of Superior Medals were Jonathan and Lars Wolf of Dan Dan 
Middle School, Louise Li and Julia Malate of Marianas High School, 
Elizabeth Rose Jones of Kagman High School and the members of Marianas 
High School's glee club, ``Rythym N' Harmony'': Miguel Aninon, Roland 
Balajadia, Angela Barbo, Eden Conner, Jefferson Cunanan, Donna Galvez, 
Lesly Ibarra, Leonard Manuel, James Reyes, Charley Sablan, Clarisse 
Torio, and Rinisa Torres. The Wolf brothers performed a duet acting 
piece, Jones performed a solo musical theatre piece, Rhythm N' Harmony 
won two medals for group musical performance while Li and Malate won 
their medals in non-performance categories, Li for theatre marketing 
and Malate for costume design.
  Li and Malate also received perfect scores for their performances, 
with Rhythm N' Harmony scoring perfectly twice.
  The rest of the team performed superbly as well, most receiving 
ratings of ``excellent'' for their work. From Dan Dan Middle School is 
Juliet Inocencio, from Hopwood Junior High School is Edgardo and 
Vladimir Palma, from Francisco M. Sablan Middle School is Christine 
Munar, from Grace Christian Academy is Su Min (Melody) Woo and from 
Marianas High School is Rouxiang (John) Lu, Kaye Ann Obando, Michaela 
Gatdula, Anjenette Cubangbang, Casey Huliganga, Lance Elayda, Chloe 
Salvosa, Deirdre Rosete, Kasandra ``Myka'' Villegas and Kelvin Wolf.
  Most of these students had to compete throughout the school year to 
earn a spot on the team roster. But our senior thespians were chosen to 
participate in an invitation-only Chapter Select Showcase. Their stage 
production of ``The Internet is Distract--OH LOOK, A KITTEN'' by Ian 
McWethy was an effort that included collaboration from several 
different schools. Kagman High School Coach Joy Jones directed. The 
Marianas High School Art Club painted backdrops. And public relations 
and technical support were the work of the Senior Art Club under the 
direction of Marianas High School Coach Jonel Alepuyo with the 
participation of all senior performers. The team took home a 
recognition trophy.
  In addition to the ratings and medals, the festival was an 
opportunity for some of our rising seniors to showcase their talents 
for colleges in hopes for recruitment. Rouxiang (John) Lu and Su Min 
(Melody) Woo both got at least 20 call backs and Kelvin Wolf and 
Clarisse Torrio got at least 10 call backs each.
  Of course, these young, aspiring entertainers could not have been so 
successful without the team of faculty coaches who helped them hone 
their skills. Coaching the junior thespians were Kristine Wolf of Dan 
Dan Middle School and Harold Easton of Marianas High School. Coaching 
the junior thespians were Karen Alla and Jonel Jones of Marianas High 
School and Joy Jones of Kagman High School. I thank them all.
  In addition to their own performances the Marianas team participated 
in daily workshops, saw performances by fellow thespians from around 
the country, and got the chance to meet and mingle with fellow members 
of the International Thespian Society, the honor society for middle and 
high school theatre students that hosts this festival each year. It is 
truly an enriching and educational experience.
  Please join me in congratulating the Marianas Team for their 
outstanding performances at the 2018 International Thespian Festival.

                          ____________________