On January 26, 2010, several students witnessed the proclamation signing declaring January 31, 2010 – February 5, 2010 as Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme is“Catholic Schools: Dividends for life.”

The proclamation signing took place in the diocesan library. Alongside the students who were present was MCS President Mrs. Margaret Dela Cruz. Altogether, they witnessed Jalayne Benavente, a senior at MCS, read the first part of the proclamation before the Most Reverend Tomas A. Camaho, Bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, signed the proclamation.

Mount Carmel School, St. Joseph Catholic School on Tinian, and Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja on Rota are the only Catholic schools in the CNMI. All three schools “train and produce students strongly dedicated to their faiths, values, families, and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spiritual, character and moral development”; “teach a diverse group of students”; “and instill in students the faith, knowledge, morals, and discipline that will enable them to fulfill their future rolls in life.”

The students present at the Proclamation Signing were Victoria Margarita C. Dela Cruz (1st), Juan Blanco (2nd), Soledad Camacho (3A), Dayna M. Macaranas (3B), Francheska O. Fauni (4th), Jaqueline B. Doctor (5th), Peter Babauta (7th), Kody Palacios (8A), Andrea Manese (8B), Anne Gelika Elenzano (9A), Jourdon V. Weaver (9B), Billie Ocampo (10th), Maria Balajadia (11th), and Jalayne Benavente (12th).

Left: Senior Jalayne Benavente reads the proclamation out loud. Above: Bishop Tomas A. Camacho smiles as he speaks with young MCS students.