Awards, media coverage and recognition for local businesses making names for themselves in the region and beyond
Congressional Gold Medalist Linxi Cai visits
Congressional Award Gold Medalist Linxi Cai, of Saipan International School, visited Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands’ Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan. Cai earned her Gold Medal by volunteering with the Northern Mariana Islands Model United Nations and the Commonwealth Department of Fish and Wildlife and by staying active in her school’s sports teams and participating in fun runs. She is the Marianas’ second Congressional Gold Medal winner this year.
All girl Japan pop stars film music video in Saipan
Sky Syllabus, a Japan all girl music group, recently filmed a music video in the Marianas for their new song TOKIMEKI White Splash. The group’s filming was part of a media familiarization tour supported in part by the Marianas Visitors Authority on June 21-23. The group also filmed another video featuring hotels, beaches, restaurants, and leisure activities in Saipan.
Close Up Club members’ hard work pays off with a DC visit
The Kingfisher Close Up Club visited their congressional office while in Washington. The fourth and fifth grade students from William S. Reyes Elementary with help from parents and advisors raised funds throughout the school year to pay for the trip. The school has modeled their Club after the Close Up program for high schoolers, which provides educational experiences. Their congressional office arranged tours of the White House and the US Capitol for them. Whereas the students performed songs for the staff, too.
Four Seasons offers liveaboard experience in Palau
Four Seasons Explorer, a 39 meter luxury catamaran, is setting sail to Palau beginning later this year. Four Seasons Explorer operates like a floating resort, offering daily embarkation and disembarkation, allowing up to 22 guests to explore. Guests can also look forward to a variety of on-board experiences, from connecting with Palauan people, chefs and musicians to learning from expert marine biologists and more.
University of Guam
A $10 million grant has been awarded to the University of Guam College of Natural & Applied Sciences. The purpose of the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture grant is to advance the agriculture and natural resources workforce in Micronesia. The grant project serves students at UOG, Northern Marianas College, and Guam Community College through a cooperative bachelor’s program with several larger U.S. universities. UOG students Tristan Valdes and Nana Kanda carry an uprooted banana sucker while learning about banana propagation in their Intro to Agriculture class trip to UOG’s Inarajan Research & Education Center in September 2021.
Lilly Broadcastings launches new ABC Affiliate on Guam
John Christianson, Lilly Broadcasting chief operating officer, met with Ken Duenas, Glimpses Media director during a trip to learn more about Guam and local media organizations. The broadcasting company recently started operations as the new affiliate for the ABC television network in Guam. The new station will be seen on channel 7 through cable systems Docomo Pacific and GTA Teleguam. ABC7 will produce national news and weather for Guam viewers airing at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The station will provide a new website, guamabc7.com, with news, weather and additional information.

Participants look on during one of the UCEDD Inclusion Training sessions held in Saipan.
Photo Courtesy of the Northern Marianas College
Northern Marianas College
From June 2 to June 9 the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and the Community Development Institute, both affiliated with Northern Marianas College, announced the completion of the first ever UCEDD Inclusion Training. The training provided invaluable opportunities for self-advocates to enhance their skills, knowledge, and confidence, promoting inclusivity, independence, and personal growth.
GPA mentors students this summer
Reginald Diaz, at left, management analyst 3, Guam Power Authority, takes a photograph with three executive interns with the Governor’s Summer Management Program, during the break at the Guam Chamber of Commerce post typhoon forum at the Hyatt Regency Guam. From left, they are: Diaz, Victor Babauta III, Guam High School; Ciana Aflleje, Simon Sanchez High School; and Jonathan Arriola, Simon Sanchez High School.