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?