The University of Guam drew all walks of life with its annual Charter Day Thursday at the Mangilao campus.

Guam's sunny weather was perfect for the cultural performances, food, and celebration of education and the arts.

Was Charter Day—a day of fun or something more?

Jaimaleen Waayan, member of the Yap Student Organization at UOG gav

e her take.

“I think it’s not only important to other people, but it's important to for us," she said. “So we won’t lose our culture, cause this generation—we’re slowly losing of how like to make a grass skirt, weave, you know, stuff like that.”

For her student group, the annual event is a chance to perpetuate and share their culture, Vice President Vincent Jr. Yangfil said.

"To help promote our cultures—that’s one thing I’m really proud of," he said.

The group is embodying this year’s theme, “UOG Forward,” bringing their traditions with them while navigating a modern era.

It’s a mission of cultural preservation that local jewelry maker Xavier Borja takes pride in. The entrepreneur uses CHamoru iconography in his contemporary designs.

“I feel that it is more important now than ever—early in the years, we faced experiences where we felt like our culture was dying, where we felt like we were kind of disappearing, " he said. "So, the fact that there’s this renaissance with the CHamoru with the younger generation trying to find a reconnection with it like I am right now, I think it’s a really beautiful thing.”

This year is UOG's 55th Charter Day marking the anniversary of the university’s founding in 1952 and the signing of the charter that renamed the Territorial College of Guam to the University of Guam in 1968.