Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SPRING 2018 • PAN PIPES 23 PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE M ost Americans have never heard of Rota Island. We all know about the Marianas Trench from elementary science class as being the deepest part of the ocean in the entire world, but few know that along the edge of the trench is a small, 11-mile-long island called "Luta" in the native Chamorro language. It's known regionally as "the World's Friendliest Island," is home to about two thousand people, and we are Americans! e Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) is a constitutional territory of the U.S. and proud of not only the traditional Micronesian island culture, but also our American Citizenship. Rota is, without a doubt, a beautiful place. A place largely untouched by industrial development, there is diverse wildlife and rare flora no longer found on many of the other regional islands, barrier reefs that provide not only some of the most amazing scuba diving experiences but also shelter white sand beaches, and waters in about eleven shades of impossible blue. It's an eco-tourist's paradise. But our island has many challenges. During the 90's the economy tanked for many reasons; most significant being the loss of the garment industry in a partnership with Chinese manufacturers. e use of the territory as an intermediary to U.S. markets collapsed as direct trade between the U.S. and China opened up and the Rotanese people have struggled to find an economic base ever since. e schools have suffered greatly by the loss of tax revenue and now grades seven through twelve share a single facility known as the Dr. Rita H. Inos Jr/Sr High School. With 257 students and a total operating budget of around 45K annually, the school provides core courses in math, English, and Chamorro studies, but relies on on-line classes to round out the number of credits needed for graduation. Recently, a new principal arrived on-scene with the goal of creating a more well-rounded High School experience for her students. Ms. Denise "Tanya" King began seeking out teachers and staff with skills in other disciplines to create course electives and other programs in order to create a more dynamic learning environment. In her search she approached none other than the JROTC Instructor, Chief Warrant Officer (Retired) Joe Parenteau, who spent a career in the Army as a military musician, orchestral/ band conductor, and public relations specialist. e idea was hatched to start providing music education for the students here on Rota and the easiest way to get the ball rolling was to institute a Choral Music class during the Chief 's prep period. Needless to say, the idea is now reality for a pilot course of 15 students. In the beginning, there was no funding for any supplies or equipment, so the instructor ended up teaching music of his own composition using a piano app on a cell phone. Progress was slow to say the least, but the kids were enthusiastic and the RHI Chorus found support Students of the Rota High School Chorus with the Yamaha DGX660B electric piano purchased with help from the People-To- People Project. New Music on the "Friendly Island"

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