Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Upward Bound Students from Kosrae at COM-FSM

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): June 23, 1998 –
Twenty-six Eleventh Graders from Kosrae High School spent a week at the College of
Micronesia-FSM Palikir Campus, visit the FSM Capital and their
colleague high school students in Pohnpei under the FSM Upward
Bound Program, according to President Jacob Nena’s Special
Assistant Josaiah Waguk.

The 26 students were selected from among some 75 applicants
on the basis of their grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or better,
Waguk said.

The purpose of the program among other things is to provide
an opportunity to the participants, experience college lifestyle
by staying in the dormitories, attending and observing classes,
eating at the cafeteria, studying at the COM-FSM Library as were
as getting the feeling of what college life entails. With such
an exposure, it is hoped that their desire for college education
will propelled them into a successful and prosperous life in
the future.

Accompanying the students were Program Director, Morgan Jonas,
Lead Teacher Ranson Tilfas, Counselor Etna E. Martinez and Administrative
Officer Palik Sigrah.

“They were excited, curious and interested,” said
Waguk in describing the reactions of the students, some of whom
are here for the first time.

Last month, a group from Chuuk High School was in Pohnpei
under similar program. They got an opportunity to observe FSM
Congress in session. However, to the dismay of certain senators,
students from their home-states seemed unable to tell with certainty
who their senators were when asked. Does this reflective of the
curriculum in the FSM?