Buenas yan Hafa Adai!

Over the weekend, I was invited to attend a play sponsored by the St. Thomas Aquinas Drama Club.
"Estorian Manhoben Giya Guahan," was a story about teenagers growing up on Guam. It was a story about friendship and love, but also about alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, and gang peer pressure.

The play depicted the problems that tear apart our youth; how those problems become so overwhelming that it pulls apart friendships and strains the bonds of love.

When tragedy strikes one of the teens, friendship and love re-emerge and help them triumph over their problems.

I was so impressed with the play--my first thought was how this original production should be seen by other young adults in our middle and high schools.

I will be contacting Mr. Rob Malay, DOE deputy superintendent of educational support and community learning, to coordinate the logistics with Ms. Pilar Williams, president of the Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, to see if we can bring this play to our island's youth.

The 2011-2012 school year is coming to a close and while I wait for the movie, "Bully," to come to Guam, I believe that this play could be planned as a fieldtrip for our students and would be very beneficial; not just for them, but for parents and other siblings as well.

I hope that my office can coordinate with DOE and Saint Thomas Aquinas to have the play performed at the GATE Theater or in the schools. Believe me, it's worth it.
I share with you a portion of Ms. Williams' heartfelt closing remarks after the show, and I quote:

"Tonight, we have another reason to celebrate. Tonight we celebrate the sincerity of our students. Not only was this play student-initiated and student directed, it was definitely student oriented, but it brings pause for all adults to stop and listen. Their focus- was a call to all of us—teens face a plethora of challenges and they reach out to us on a daily basis.
However, we have become way too busy to hear them let alone listen to them. I beg you, please take the time to visit. They rely on us."

This simple message doesn't require a PhD; it doesn't require translation; it doesn't have any hidden agenda. It is a message from the heart, from child to parent… Mom, Dad: listen to me. I'm here. I exist. I have a voice. I'm important. Please don't judge me. I know I make mistakes. I need your support. I need your love. I need to know that no matter what, you will always be there for me.

Let this be a reminder to us as parents that our children face difficulties in school, and sometimes, their actions on how to deal with these difficulties, might not be the right ones. It is especially during this time, that they need our unconditional love and support.

Parents, I ask that you play an active role in your child's education. Participate in their school's Parent Teacher Organization; get to know the school counselor and administrators. Let them know that you are your children's strongest advocate.

Let us be the cornerstone and foundation of our children's strength so that they may grow up to be strong adults.

Saina Ma'ase