3rd Interscholastic Forum Organized with Increased Support from Students

Friday, October 30. The third interscholastic forum was hosted at Palau High School last Friday, with 114 students representing all high schools and 7^th and 8^th graders from Koror Elementary School, Meyuns Elementary School and Maris Stella Elementary School. The forum is a unique approach to integrating student dialogue across different campuses. Building from the last forum hosted by Mindszenty High School, the students discussed their agreed top issues: Palau’s traditional values as it applies to the students and their schools, drug abuse and mental health, and challenges and opportunities surrounding teacher-student relationships.

The students were able to share their perspectives and experiences with each other and gained an appreciation for the common challenges they shared as peers. Moving forward, the outcomes and recommendations will be shared with school officials, resource agencies and others to address and identify where policies may be needed to improve services for the students. The forum also included sessions for financial literacy dedicated to seniors transitioning to college or early careers and a session for 7-8 graders to help them prepare for high school.

Also building on lessons learned from the last forum, students continued to increase their leadership roles by taking on more responsibilities in planning and organizing the forum. Through the governing body established to support the forum, the Interscholastic Student Body Association (ISBA) and their officers gained valuable experiences in leading the students’ planning committees covering program development, media, catering and logistical efforts to ensure a successful forum. Ms. Erika Remengesau, who attends Mindszenty High School, currently serves as the ISBA President, and was the keynote speaker. Asked about her thoughts on the forum, Ms. Remengesau stated, “I was able to meet many students and learn from their experiences. Hearing their stories made me realize that it’s not just one problem for one school, it’s national issues that our youth are currently facing. I’m deeply honored to be a part of ISBA and to have the support of Sureor Inc. and the school principals so that we are able to show adults that we are part of the conversation too”. Serving as ISBA’s Vice President is Ms. Merii Rechelulk from Palau Mission Academy, with Ms. Rie Mekreos from Palau High School as Secretary and Ms. Janine Remoket from Emmaus-Bethania High School as Treasurer.

Palau High School Principal Smyth Rdang was able to welcome all the participants at the start of the program and the students heard from special guest, Senator Andrew Tabelual who chairs the Senate Committee on Education. Senator Tabelual’s message centered around encouraging the students to always take the initiative rather than expect others to act on their behalf.

Sureor Inc. continues to work with school principals and education officials to support and guide ISBA and its officers and aims to have the students take complete control of the forum as the primary platform that provides students the opportunity for their voices to be heard and to continue to foster their growth and development. The 3^rd interscholastic forum was made possible with the support of the Small Grants Program, through the Office of the President and the Republic of China Taiwan and generous donations from Surangel & Sons Company, Palau National Communications Corporation and Western Caroline Trading Company.

Caption for photo:

Student participants of the 3^rd Interscholastic Forum with (front row) Senator Andrew Tabelual, Palau High School Principal Smyth Rdang, Sureor Inc. Chairman Alan Marbou and members and forum facilitators.

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