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FSM Diplomatic Corps Attends President Mori's Address to Xavier High School Graduating Class of 2010

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): June 7, 2010 - On May 28, 2010, following an invitation from Xavier High School in Chuuk, President Mori gave a commencement address to the graduating class of 2010. The President, in turn, invited and was joined by Ambassadors Shoji Sato of Japan, Weidong Zhang of the People's Republic of China, Allan Prahar of the United States, and Ms. Janet Whitaker, First Secretary and Consul of the Australian Embassy.

"I was very pleased and honored to be invited to attend the commencement exercises of the Xavier High School," said Ambassador Zhang, "it provided me with a chance to learn about the abundant history of this school, and wish all the graduates great success in their life and career after the graduation." This was the first time that the diplomatic corps of these four major world superpowers attended such an event in one place at the same time.

President Mori expressed great pleasure in celebrating the graduates' achievements. "You deserve to be proud of this day," he said; however, he reminded the students that their "greatness is determined by how many people you serve, not by how many people serve you." Throughout his speech, President Mori emphasized to the students, the importance of serving their fellow citizens with dedication, but even more importantly, to remain humble. "Humility," he said, "or being a true servant to our people is what Xavier is all about."

"I was very impressed with all of the 29 graduates and particularly impressed that two of them have been awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship," said Ms. Janet Whitaker, First Secretary & Consul of the Australian Embassy.

"It was an honor and a privilege to be invited to share in this event with President Mori and the 2010 graduates. I trust that this year's graduates, as in years past, will live by the Xavier values of discipline, purpose, and service and become leaders in their families, in their communities, and in their countries," said Ambassador Prahar.

Ambassador Sato commented that he "was very impressed with both the ceremony and students' positive attitudes toward their future."