Library Week comes to a close on the 25th of April 2024. Celebrating 36 years of service to the island of Pohnpei, the Pohnpei Public Library ended Library Week with a semi-formal open dialogue panel discussion with the top two students from the high schools and some of our finest local heroes.
The event began with the attendees sporting t-shirts specially made for the event signifying uniformity to honour the theme of connecting. The Session commenced with a moment of acknowledgement of all our special guests along with the top senior students hailing from all corners of Pohnpei:1. Pohnpei Island Central High School
- Miuky Jean Joseph
- Lilly-Jean Alex
2. Seventh-Day Adventist High School
- Faithjewel
Wynn
- Aziza
Christian
3. Nanpei Memorial High School
- Asumi
Ardos
- Melti-Ann
Lorenso
4. Madolenihmw High School
- Melsihna Saul
- Janet Etger
5. Pohnpei Catholic High School
- Unica
Rodriguez
- Kimora
Nena
6. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School
- Kimilane Jean Sigrah
- Karen Andon Semens
As the day’s MC, Mrs. Emy Charlie (Assistant Librarian) guided the formalities, among the honoured guests, we also welcomed former PPL Board Members as well as present Board Members Mrs. Suzanne L. Gallen (Chairwoman), Mr. BJ Obispo (Board Member), and Mr. Vantslot Etse (Board Member). The event then led into a wonderfully done prayer and a warm welcome. The panel members were then given the floor to introduce themselves. The Panellists' included:
- Ms. Phyllis Silbanuz – Dean of FSM National CTEC
- Mr.Noriekka Lekka – Chief of Social Services Pohnpei State
- Mr.Nixon Alten – Staff Attorney FSM Public Defender’s Office
The main attraction of the day commenced with Ms. Erika Billen as the moderator for the open dialogue panel discussion. As the saying goes, “You just had to be there to know”, the students asked their questions while each panellist took turns answering; and the more the panellists spoke, the more intently the students listened. The ambience of the entire room was relaxed and bordering casual as the panellist engaged their audience. The exchanges mostly encompassed the panellists' experiences that the students one-on-one wanted to know about and it ranged from personal challenges, motivations, fears and even pesky procrastination. The genuine aura that each panel member exuded was a touching factor, and the students had so much well worded stories of wisdom they could come away with from this event other than the gift certificates to Ace Office Supplies and free t-shirts. One might call it a very sweet way to end the Library Week—connecting inspirational individuals to our students, providing them the opportunity and space to learn from each other, and stoking the drive of our students and honoured guests to remain focused on their goals. It was an invigorating experience all together.
After the Panel Discussions the students, as well as panellists and schools received certificates of appreciation for their participation and support in this year’s Library Week movement to CONNECT, LEARN and FOCUS. Our Honourable Chairwoman of the Pohnpei Pubic Library Mrs. Suzanne L. Gallen gave her closing remarks—summing up the afternoon and thanking our guests. Following this segment was a group photo to immortalize the occasion before sending off everyone with some refreshments for the road.
The Board of PPL and Staff would like to thank the FSM Congress (Speaker’s Office) as well as the FSM National Archives, Cultural and Historic Preservation (NACHP) for sponsoring the event and making everything possible through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. We would also like to thank all the vendors (Ace Office Supply, Ray & Dor's, MicroPrinter) for their speedy work and cooperation to bring our gifts to our students and attendees. Thank you ALL again for the support and trust you have all shown throughout this event and its preparations.
Kalahngan en kupwuromwail maingko!
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Panel Discussion Open Dialogue Head Librarian Trueleen Albert giving her formalities to all and setting the warm mood. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| Panelists kicking off their introduction. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley) |
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| Students from the highschools around Pohnpei. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley) |
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| Students from NMHS. (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley) |
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| Students from PCS.(4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley) |
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| Seventh-Day Adventist High School (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Emyleen Charley) |
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| Madolenihmw High School students(close to center of picture) (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Welter Johnny) |
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| NORIEKKA LEKKA - CHIEF OF SOCIAL SERVICES POHNPEI STATE with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| PHYLLIS SILBANUZ - DEAN OF FSM CTEC with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| NIXON ALTEN STAFF ATTORNEY - FSM PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| AWAK ECE REPRESENTATIVE with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST HIGH SCHOOL with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen)
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| OUR LADY OF MERCY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| MADOLENIHMW HIGH SCHOOL with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| NANPEI MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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| POHNPEI ISLAND CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL with PPL Chairwoman Mrs. Sue L. Gallen & PPL Head Librarian Mrs. Trueleen Albert (4/25/24 - Pohnpei Public Library by Erika Billen) |
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