27 Guam high schoolers graduate from college prep program

Twenty-seven Guam high school students have graduated from the national college preparation program Upward Bound hosted by the University of Guam and have been accepted into institutions of higher learning. They received certificates of completion at a ceremony on Aug. 8. 

The Upward Bound program is a federally funded program designed to help low-income or first-generation college students gain the skills and motivation to continue on to college.  

Fifteen of the students are now attending the University of Guam, 10 are attending Guam Community College, and two are attending mainland institutions, namely California Polytechnical College and St. Louis University. 

“The graduates’ successful acceptance into college is a testament to the hard work and commitment the UB students, parents, and staff made to achieve that goal,” said Rowena T. Andrade, director of Upward Bound.  

The program has received increased funding of $478,486 for the coming school year and will continue to serve high school students in Guam, primarily those from the public school system. High schoolers interested in applying can visit https://www.uog.edu/trio-program/upward-bound or contact Director Rowena Andrade at rowenat@triton.uog.edu.  

The graduates are as follows: 

1. Kiana Amuan, Simon Sanchez High School  

2. Alyanna Bantugan, Okkodo High School  

3. Venus Borja, Okkodo High School 

4. Angel Danan, Simon Sanchez High School 

5. Phil Dela Cruz, John F. Kennedy High School 

6. Symphony Guevera, George Washington High School 

7. Adrian Lacap, Okkodo High School 

8. Yvan Oftana, Okkodo High School 

9. Tristan Pajela, Simon Sanchez High School 

10. Casey Rosario, Tiyan High School  

11. Kamarin Santos, John F. Kennedy High School 

12. Taiga Sato, John F. Kennedy High School 

13. Dominick Tangonan, Okkodo High School 

14. Yssabelle Valencia, Simon Sanchez High School 

15. Vince Verango, John F. Kennedy High School 

16. Christian Baluyut, Simon Sanchez High School 

17. Zaine Benavente, John F. Kennedy High School 

18. Kyle Anne Bustamante, Simon Sanchez High School 

19. Lizelle Carlos, Tiyan High School 

20. Candace Cepeda, George Washington High School 

21. Alexia Fejeran, Okkodo High School 

22. Genneva Imbuido, Simon Sanchez High School 

23. Amorlynn Mesa, John F. Kennedy High School 

24. Marvin Ocampo, Simon Sanchez High School 

25. Isabella Serrano, John F. Kennedy High School 

26. Genica Suerte, Simon Sanchez High School 

27. Pristine Tapao, Academy of Our Lady