HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Felis Anu Nuebu (Chamorro)
Masaya Bagong Taon (Filipino)
Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Parakapw Mwahu (Pohnpei)

Ungil Becheserrak (Palau)

Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu (Japanese)

Hau'oli Makahiki Hou (Hawaiian)

Sut dal kum mum (Korean)

Gung Hay Fat Choy (Chinese)

Chúc Mung Nam Moi (Vietnamese)

May the year 2014 bring you abundant blessings filled with much love, joy, peace, and happiness!

Notre Dame High School Celebrates 45 Years!

The Notre Dame community celebrated 45 years of educating Royals spiritually, academically, and globally at the 45th Anniversary Banquet held at the Sheraton Laguna Guam Resort on Saturday, October 26, 2013. In attendance were the School Sisters of Notre Dame; Governor Eddie Baza Calvo and First Lady Christine Sonido Calvo, a 1984 graduate of Notre Dame; Royal Alumni; current students and parents; faculty and staff; and numerous businesses that have contributed to Notre Dame’s successes over the years. The evening was filled with fantastic Royal company and excellent entertainment provided the students of Notre Dame. The Notre Dame community would like to thank everyone who helped make the 45th Anniversary Banquet a Royal success.

School Sisters of Notre Dame S. Francine Perez, S. Mary Joseph Quichocho, and S. Mary Juan Camacho, were in attendance, along with Shawn Gumataotao, NDHS Board of Directors’ Vice Chair.

Danna Terlaje ’82 and Cara Walsh, instructor at Notre Dame, welcome Governor Eddie Calvo to the banquet.

Source: NDHS

Christmas with the Familia!

Felis Pasgua to one and all!  Christmas is a time to spend love, joy, and peace with family and friends.  May you all be blessed with the Christmas cheer this Holiday Season!  Here are a few memorable snapshots taken with my Familia!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

Merry Christmas from around the Pacific!

~Felis Pasgua (Chamorro)
~Maligayan Pasko (Tagalog)
~Peren en Krismas (Pohnpeian)
~Monono ilo raaneoan Nejin (Marshallese)
~Falang e Baynag (Yapese)
~Tok Tapeng (Kosraean)
~Ungil Kurismas (Palauan)
~Pwapwan Kirisimas (Chuukese)
~Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian)
~Ameseighil ubwutiiwel Layi Luugh me raagh fee (Carolinian)

Congratulations Fall 2013 Graduates!

The University of Guam celebrated the graduation of its 236 students on December 22, 2013 at the UOG Field House. It also marked a milestone by graduating its first fully-online Reading Program candidates.  Of the graduates, 67 received graduate degrees and 169 received undergraduate degrees. The Commencement Ceremonies featured keynote speaker Esther Puakela Kia’aina, First Deputy Director, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Reources.  Kia’aina served for nearly two decades on Capitol Hill as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Representative and UOG President Dr. Robert A. Underwood and to U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-Hawai’i), and as Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawai’i).  Kia’aina was recently nominated by President Obama to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas at the U.S. Department of the Interior.  Congratulations Reading Cohort and Fall 2013 candidates! Enjoy the following UOG Commencement snapshots!

Keynote speaker Esther Puakela Kia’aina

Rachel Duenas, Elementary Education major from the School of Education, is this semester's Valedictorian.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, DEAL/SOE; Duenas; and Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, SOE's Reading Program Chair.

Reading Cohort graduates pose for the camera!

Reading Cohort member from Pohnpei poses for the camera.  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, Reading Program adjunct/DEAL Asst. Professor; Mr. Biza; Leilani Welley-Biza, Reading Cohort Pohnpei graduate; and Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Reading Program Chair.

Reading Cohort with their signature "Thumb's Up!"

FIRST ONLINE COHORT:  The Reading Cohort gives a BIG smile, as they are the first to graduate from UOG's first fully-online program!

UOG's Dr. Rivera's!  Pictured L-R:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera and Dr. John Rivera.

   

Pictured L-R:  Dr. Catherine Stoicovy, Reading Program Chair; Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera, DEAL Asst. Professor & Reading Program Adjunct; and Troy McVey, Associate Dean for the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.

UOG Commencement Ceremonies held December 22, 2013 at the UOG Field House.

M.U. Lujan Christmas Program a Success!

The M.U. Lujan Elementary School Christmas Program held December 20, 2013 was filled with Christmas spirit and cheer that will always be remembered.  Merry Christmas and kudos to all!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this special event!

Felis Pasgua from the Famaguon! :)

Teaching is a Noble Profession

Teaching is truly a noble profession.  Kudos to all teachers/professors who make a difference in the lives of their students!  God Bless you all.

SOE Alumni Association Holds its Annual Election

The SOE Alumni Association held a meaningful election and general membership drive December 14, 2013 at IRA's Community Book Fair held at the Agana Shopping Center.  Congratulations to the following officers who were re-elected:

President:  Graziella "Grace" Griffin
Vice-President:  Margaret Beem
Secretary:  Martha Sudo
Treasurer:  Rose Marie Cruz Castro
Publicity:  Lois Taitano Gumataotao
Webmaster:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera

We are also happy to announce the following new members and those who have renewed their membership:  Dr. Nerissa Bretania Underwood, Annie Perez, Theodore Joseph Tenorio Nededog, Nilfa M. Milan, and Sandy Liberty.  We appreciate your support of your Alma Mater!  Enjoy the following snapshots taken during this special event!

PIBBA Guam Chapter Holds Election

The PIBBA Guam Chapter held its election on December 14, 2013 during its general membership meeting at Lemai Cafe.  Congratulations to the following officers who were elected:

President-Elect:  Antonia "Toni" Salas
Secretary:  Lois Taitano Gumataotao
Treasurer:  Barbara Benavente
Historian:  Dr. Jose Q. Cruz
PIO:   Elizabeth "Liz" Reyes
Webmaster:  Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera

Dr. Arlene Salas Camacho Diaz is the incoming President, as she has most recently completed her President-Elect term.

Thank you Past President Rosa Salas Palomo for your service to the PIBBA Guam Chapter!  We are excited about the new year and cultural events that are forthcoming! BIBA PIBBA!

Enjoy the following snapshots taking during this special election meeting!

Fine Arts Methods Students Shine!

The UOG Fine Arts Methods classes taught by Dr. Lourdes Ferrer showcased their bullying plays in the SBPA Multipurpose Room on December 13, 2013. They shared a special awareness message regarding the need to prevent bullying in our schools. Kudos to all involved! Enjoy the following snapshots taken during the performance!