Palau Community College

Palau Community College

MESEKIU'S

NEWS

Friday, April 20, 2007 Weekly Newsletter Volume 9, Issue 16

14th Charter Day Attracts Record Crowd

President Tellei (far left) heading towards the finishing line with Instructor Jemmy Blelai and VP Thomas Taro during the President's Run/Walk on Friday.

Ist place runner (left)- Jose Labro and 2nd place runner- Mohi Uddin at the Palau Track & Field.

Kina Merraoch Tarkong, pictured above with her mom Emi Mizuta (left) and Aunt Hisami Nakano (right), was the youngest walker in the Run/Walk

"This is by far the biggest turn out of students and staff to any Charter Day event that I have ever witnessed in my many years here at the College," awed Ephraim Ngirachitei at the nearly 400 people who converged on Bailechesau in Melekeok State for lunch during the tour of Babeldaob- Charter Day activity.

The celebration to mark the College's 14th Charter Day kicked off at 5:30 in the morning with the PCC President's Run/Walk. Despite the less than ideal weather- rain and wind- hundreds turned out for the 5K challenge which commenced at the Koror-side of the Japan-Palau Friendship Bridge and finished with a one lap sprint at the PCC Track & Field. Among the hundreds who braved the elements to join PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei in the early morning workout included ROP President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., Education Minister Mario Katosang, and Senator Caleb Otto. President Remengesau's spectacular power sprint at the finish drew cheers from the crowd at the track & field.

According to event organizers, Remengesau most likely clocked his best time ever. Remengesau has always accepted the invitation to attend the PCC President's Run/Walk every year.

Other College officials who joined President Tellei in the Run/Walk included both Vice Presidents Thomas Taro and Jay Olegeriil and a number of faculty members. Taro who co-chaired the Charter Day organizing committee with Ephraim Ngirachitei said he was pleased to see President Remengesau, Minister Katosang, and Senator Otto grace the event, and hopes to see more of Palau's leaders next year.

First place in the Run category went to Jose Labro (25:05) with Mohi Uddin in second place (26:09) and Sarah Klain finishing in close third (26:40). In the Walk category, only seconds separated the three top finishers. Charlie Simeon took first place (47:32), Serafin Akiwo second place (47:49), and Dario Harris in third place (47:58).
(Continued on page 2)

Message of Condolences

PCC President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei, on behalf of the Board of Trustees and the entire College family extends heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the faculty and family of the 33 students who lost their lives at the tragic incident at Virginia Tech. Also, special condolences to the people of Yap State and to the family of the Late Yapese Chief John Mangafel. Lastly, but certainly not the least, the College family extends deepest condolences to the people of FSM and to the family of the former FSM President, Toshiwo Nakayama. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time of sorrow and grief.

(Continued from page 1)
The first 100 runners and walkers to complete the 5K Run/Walk were rewarded with a commemorative Charter Day t-shirt. After the run/walk, 6 buses transported the hundreds of staff and students for the Babeldaob Island tour which was highlighted by a guided tour of the new Capitol in Ngerulmud, Melekeok. The tour of babeldaob and the Capitol building gave students and staff the opportunity to visit the new Capitol, and visit the three branches of the government (Executive, Legislative, Judiciary) and see the inner-workings of the government. Other stops on the tour also included the historical site of Badrulchau (stone monoliths) in the state of Ngarchelong and the Melekeok State building- Bailechesau- another historical land mark in the state of Melekeok. At Bailechesau, the PCC staff and students enjoyed a traditional lunch that was especially prepared for them by the youth group of Melekeok state.

As part of the Charter Day celebration, the College also held for the first time ever, a Hanafuda Tourney Fundraiser held at the PCC Cafeteria from April 14th-15th. Thirty participants from the College as well as from the community joined in the singles category on Saturday, April 14th.

PCC students posing near Badrulchau sign before heading down to see the stone monoliths.

PCC students and staff stand in line to get their delicious lunch prepared by the Melekeok State youth at Bailechesau in Melekeok.

Participants of the Hanafuda Tournament in first round action last Saturday at the Cafeteria.

VP Jay Olegeriil (l) and Tournament Director Ephraim Ngirachitei award the singles category winner, Francine Omchuong Omelau (r).

Tired after practically competing the whole afternoon, Francine Omchuong Omelau won first place; Yasuhiro Kudo won 2nd place; and Director Vernice Rechebei won PCC logo items as she took 3rd place along with Lillian "Pago" Milong who placed 4th and Swingly Yuri who placed 5th.

Eight teams participated in the doubles category on the second day of the tournament. The winners are: 1st place- Kelalbai Teblak and Spencer Sowad; 2nd place- Barnabas "Barni" Tepengailug

and Fernando Clarence; 3rd place- Husayn Beketaut and Della Teblak; 4th place- Lillian "Pago" Milong and Nino Bruno; 5th place- Kasilda Bruno and Sheryl Ilemelong. First place winners for both categories won dressers, second place winners won piglets, and third to fifth place winners won PCC logo items.

Kelalbai Teblak (left) and Spencer Sowad (winners of the doubles category) receiving their prizes from Tournament Director Ephraim Ngirachitei.

The 2007 Charter Day Organizing Committee would like to thank all the PCC staff and students who helped make this year's celebration a success! Special thanks to all the community people who participated in the run/walk. Also, special thanks to the bus drivers, tour guides, Melekeok youth, and the community people who devoted their weekend to participate in the Hanafuda Tournament. Because of your support, we were able to raise $230 dollars for the PCC Endowment Fund! Thank you all for joining us in celebrating our 14th Charter Day! Hope to see you all next year!

E.S.P.N Beats Staff to Take Softball
Intramural Crown

E.S.P.N (PCC students' team) are the 2007 PCC Intramural Softball League champions after winning the game against PCC staff's team at Meyuns baseball field earlier this month.

BITS AND PIECES...

French Scholarship Now Available...

The French Embassy in Pohnpei, FSM is offering a full scholarship (covers tuition, living allowance, etc.) starting this summer 2007. Based on study interests, applicants will be placed accordingly at French institutions in the Pacific or in France. This scholarship will be offered to one (1) student only for this summer, but in the following year, two scholarships will be offered to two (2) successful applicants. The deadline for applications is on April 27th, 2007.

Qualifications
~ Must be 18 years old.
~ Must have a valid Palauan passport.
~ Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
~ Must have the willingness and commitment to finish the scholarship term and further their education.

If interested, please submit copies of your birth certificate, passport, and transcript to PCC Dean of Academic Affairs, Alvina Timarong. For more information or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dean Timarong at the Academic Affairs office at 488-2470/2471 ext. 245.

PCC Offering Free Training in Basic Mandarin...

The College is offering free language training in Basic Mandarin. The training will be divided into two classes, so you can choose which suits you. One is offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 6pm to 7:30pm. The other is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm. Classes will begin on April 23, 2007 and ends on June 1, 2007. For information or registration, please call Taruu Nakamura or Leona Blaluk at PCC Continuing Education at 488-6223.

Tips for the Classroom
Taken from Study Skills.com at http://www.how-to-study.com

Good Listening In Class

It is important for you to be a good listener in class. Much of what you will have to learn will be presented verbally by your teachers. Just hearing what your teachers say is not the same as listening to what they say. Listening is a cognitive act that requires you to pay attention and think about and mentally process what you hear.

Here are some things you should do to be a good listener in class.

* Be Cognitively Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Make sure you complete all assigned work and readings. Review your notes from previous class sessions. Think about what you know about the topic that will be covered in class that day.
* Be Emotionally Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Your attitude is important. Make a conscious choice to find the topic useful and interesting. Be committed to learning all that you can.

* Listen with a Purpose. Identify what you expect and hope to learn from the class session. Listen for these things as your teacher talks. Listen with an Open Mind. Be receptive to what your teacher says. It is good to question what is said as long as you remain open to points of view other than your own.
* Be Attentive. Focus on what your teacher is saying. Try not to daydream and let your mind wander to other things. It helps to sit in the front and center of the class, and to maintain eye contact with your teacher.

* Be an Active Listener. You can think faster than your teacher can speak. Use this to your advantage by evaluating what is being said and trying to anticipate what will be said next. Take good written notes about what your teacher says. While you can think faster than your teacher can speak, you cannot write faster than your teacher can speak. Taking notes requires you to make decisions about what to write, and you have to be an active listener to do this.
* Meet the Challenge. Don't give up and stop listening when you find the information being presented difficult to understand. Listen even more carefully at these times and work hard to understand what is being said. Don't be reluctant to ask questions.
* Triumph Over the Environment. The classroom may be too noisy, too hot, too cold, too bright, or too dark. Don't give in to these inconveniences. Stay focused on the big picture - LEARNING.

Study Hall Available to All PCC Students

When: Monday- Thursday

Time: 6:30pm-9:30pm

Place: Study Hall Dorm B & C

Study Hall will continue until
May 15, 2007.

ALUMNI NOTES:
Class of 2004 & 2003 (PCC)
Maureen Renguul - 2004 PCC graduate with a Certificate of Achievement (CA) in Business Accounting (BA) and a 2003 graduate with a Certificate of Achievement (CA) in Office Administration (OA). Renguul works at PCC Admissions & Financial Aid office as a Financial Aid Technician and has been working there for the past two years.

Class of 1994 (PCC)
Wandalynn Meyar - 1994 PCC graduate with an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Liberal Arts (LA). Meyar works at Koror Elementary School as a Classroom Teacher and has been working there for the past 10 years.

Class of 1983 (MOC)
Arthur Remeliik - 1983 MOC graduate with a Certificate of Achievement (CA) in Electrical Technology (ET). Remeliik works at the Bureau of Public Works- Facility & Maintenance office as a Electrician 2 and has been working there for the past 17 years.

Alumni Notes showcases MOC/PCC alumni who contribute to the quality of life in their local community and are postive role models for other PCC students to emulate. If you are that alumni or know someone who is, please contact the PCC Development Office at telephone number 488-2471. We would like to feature you in future issues of the Mesekiu's News.

April 13, 2007
April 6, 2007
March 30, 2007
March 23, 2007
March 16, 2007
March 9, 2007
March 2, 2007
February 23, 2007
February 16, 2007
February 9,2007
February2, 2007
January 26, 2007
January 19, 2007
January 12, 2007
January 5, 2007
December 29, 2006
December 22, 2006
December 15, 2006
December 8, 2006
December 1, 2006
November 17, 2006
November 10, 2006
November 3, 2006
October 27, 2006
October 20, 2006
October 13, 2006
October 6, 2006
September 29, 2006
September 22, 2006
September 15, 2006
September 8, 2006
September 1, 2006

Introducing the 2007
Men's Volleyball Team

Mesekiu Men's Volleyball Team posing for a picture before their second game at Palau High School (PHS) Spider's Gym. The team members include Team Captain- Mason Sepelainam, Spencer Sowad, Umedib Soalablai, Chris Hasugulbush, Joeson Andon, Retsin Mariano, Fernando Clarence, Sohrab Paulino, Paul Piyemal, Elderson Palsis, David Salapwa, Pejay Togolimaiy, Elword Mangresh, and Samuel Francis.

The 2007 Volleyball Open League began earlier last week, and PCC's Mesekiu Men's Volleyball team so far has won two games against Daniel's team and Ranchers team. The men's volleyball team is scheduled to play on April 24th at 7:30pm at PHS Spider's Gym against Daniel's team. Come and cheer for your team!

Items For Sale

The Welding and Construction students are selling their class projects so, come and check them out!

Dressers, Tables, and Barbecue Grills of all shapes and sizes are for sale!

If you are interested, please contact Jade at Academic Affairs at 488-2471 ext. 245.

HAPPY EARTH
DAY PALAU!!!

From Palau Community College

Attention All Second Year Students and Counselors/Academic Advisors

In preparation for Internship placement for Summer 2007, the Extension Program Coordinator, Mr. Vincent Ito needs to know the number of students who will be eligible to participate in the training and their respective trade areas at this time. This will allow him time to identify and secure commitments from appropriate employees who will be providing training to students.

To assist in this effort, Academic Advisors are requested to review their advisees' folders and to advise those who will be eligible to participate in internship training to come to Academic Affairs Office and see the Extension Program Coordinator, Mr. Vincent Ito, and fill out required application forms. Application forms are now ready for pick up anytime during working hours from Monday to Friday. Deadline for submission of completed application forms is Tuesday, May 22, 2007 in order for students to be considered for internship placement.

Internship is provided as a final requirement for students who have completed all their course requirements on campus or at most have one remaining to be taken concurrently with the training. It allows students to be placed on the job in their respective field of training working on a full time basis as intern trainee for the semester. The practical experience gained from the training will be counted as credits required for students to graduate.

New Library Hours...

8am-8pm (Mon-Fri.)

9am-6pm (Sat.)

12pm-6pm (Sun.)

Celebrating Birthdays

Rodney Kazuma            April 22
Franson Oiterong           April 26

       Happy Birthday To You!