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An individual desire to give something back to UOG, his alma mater, compelled him to return to Guam, despite that he was already serving as an assistant vice president for information technology at California State University-Fullerton.

He was eventually offered the position as UOG’s CIO.

Today, Hidalgo credits his education at UOG to being the key to his success.

“The thing is, I had a very good foundation from the University of Guam,” Hidalgo said.

As a young child, Hidalgo had emigrated from the Philippines to Guam with his family.

Even at a young age, Hidalgo was astute.

When he was in the third grade, his teacher, Mrs. Annie Camacho, saw potential in him after Hidalgo pointed out that the test he was taking had the teacher’s answers on it.

Hidalgo ended up making it into the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program during elementary school.

Years later, Hidalgo graduated in the top-10 percent at Simon Sanchez High School. He was awarded a merit scholarship and decided to attend college in New York.

However, because of financial constraints, he decided to return to Guam, where he eventually earned both a BA in psychology and a MBA from UOG.

He then traveled to California to join his brother who lived there.

Hidalgo attended California State University Fullerton, earning a Master of Science in computer management.

Hidalgo seeks to bring some of his knowledge and experience with technology from his previous job at Cal State-Fullerton to UOG.

As UOG’s new CIO, Hidalgo looks forward to bringing faster internet and better Wi-Fi on campus; increasing access points for Wi-Fi; improving the university’s information system to make it easier for students to schedule their classes; improving software; and automating various manual processes.

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Gunn’s desire to help college students succeed in their journey to earn their degrees has been an ongoing passion for over 30 years.

“I am what one might call an ‘educational junkie,’” Gunn said.

Gunn holds three masters degrees, a Ph.D., and six educational certifications beyond the undergraduate level.

Gunn developed a passion for helping students after entering the military as a logistics officer, serving for 30 years.

His last position in the U.S. Army was commander of regional for the ROTC group, a position which further inspired him to work with college students.

EMSS oversees the admission, retention, and the records of students.

EMSS also deals with students and their experience on campus.

Gunn takes prides in UOG because the university has a 2% increase in semester enrollment each year for the past five years.

There has been a 50% decrease in enrollment for students who are non-degree seeking/non-declared student.

This decrease shows that UOG is excelling in helping students to choose their career paths.

Gunn revealed that UOG has a long term goal of reaching students from around the world through the expansion of the university’s dormitory service.

Gunn also believes that the quality of the college experience at UOG can be enhanced by students’ college preparation and developing an academic support service.

He appreciates that the university has students who take an interest in diverse studies including liberal arts, business, and nursing to name a few compared to students who were focused on the STEM curriculum at his previous job in South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

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The Make-A-Wish foundation’s Guam chapter serves Guam and the islands of the CNMI. It was founded in 1987 as a satellite office of Hawaii.

“Our mission is to grant wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy,” said program services manager, Kaleena Aguon.

Aguon became involved with Make-A-Wish when she was attending classes at the University of Guam several years ago.

She found herself organizing cabinets and papers in the office working her way up to become the present day program services manager.

Make-A-Wish foundation obtains their money from corporate and private donations.

The government does not give any grants to the nonprofit organization. Due to the smaller population on Guam, roughly 10 to 12 wishes are granted annually as opposed to larger chapters in the mainland that grant over 600 wishes a month.

The Make-A-Wish foundation holds an annual fundraising event in August, which is called the Black Tie and Tennies gala.

The gala sets itself apart from the Red Cross Ball and other events by having attendees who are donors or sponsors wear formal dresses, suits, and wear tennis shoes. The wearing of tennis shoes is represented in the word “Tennies” of the event title.

Aguon explains that wearing tennis shoes is out of homage because the children who are serviced at Make-A-Wish walk in adult situations going through tribulations such as doctors’ offices, appointments and treatments. Attendees are acknowledging that those children go through tough times and that they are walking with them in their shoes throughout their journey.

“The best part about Make-A-Wish is our mission. We get to see these kids have their wishes granted,” Aguon said. Wish requests include grand desires such as going to Disneyland or simple desires such as going shopping with their family or owning an iPad.

One child got his wish granted which was to meet Dog the Bounty Hunter in Hawaii. His wish came true when he met Dog. The Make-A-Wish foundation contacted Dog and Dog personally gave his phone number out to the family in order for their child to meet him.

The child was surprised at Dog’s office although he thought he was never going to meet him.

The family and Dog developed a relationship with each other for a couple of months, but due to Dog being famous, his phone number changed and is no longer in contact with the family, however the memory and wish granted lasts forever in the mind of that young child.

High school volunteer Jiyoo Lee got involved with Make-A-Wish for community service. “At first I volunteered for the service hours so my college application would look good, but now I volunteer because I genuinely enjoy knowing that I help make a difference in these kids’ lives by giving up my time.”

Make-A-Wish volunteer Jane Baik says she enjoys giving up her free time and part of her allowance to make a positive impact on the lives of these children.

Guam residents can help the foundation by volunteering their time and donating. Volunteering applications are online at guam.wish.org.

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She was fascinated by the perspective of the FBI representative and now thinks twice about what she shares on social media and who she talks to. She thought the workshop was successful and reminded her that it is necessary to be aware of your surroundings no matter the time and place.

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Ryan Claros, D.P.T., is an assistant professor at the UOG School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and owner of Guam’s second free-standing physical therapy clinic, Custom Fitness LLC Physical Therapy.

Born and raised on Guam, Claros was always involved in sports. He was active in track-and-field and competed in international games at the age of 14.

He transitioned into rugby and played semi-professionally.

He has competed in three Pacific Star Games, multiple international games and is a Micronesia Game medalist.

As an alumnus of Father Duenas Memorial School, he went to pursue his education first at the University of Guam.

He then graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelors of science in kinesiology with an emphasis in fitness, nutrition and health. Afterward, he completed a master of science in exercise in physiology from San Diego State University. He also holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Saint Augustine.

In 2006, while Claros was attending college, he realized he didn’t have enough time to exercise.

He was balancing classes, working out and playing semi-professional rugby. It was around that time he discovered CrossFit.

“CrossFit is a trademark way to kind of workout,” Claros said. “It is high intensity:”

His staff at Custom Fitness LLC, a CrossFit gym, includes 16 coaches, 10 holding degrees and the other six continuing their college education.

He emphasizes that credentials, community, and set goals are the key components to a good CrossFit family and environment.

With having staff members with credentials, Custom Fitness relies on science and evidence-based practice to set them apart from other CrossFit gyms on Guam.

Custom Fitness has spent no money advertising their gym because word of mouth and results have spoken volume to the people of Guam. They have provided activities for Guam Cancer Care for three years. Custom Fitness LLC possesses the only CrossFit kids affiliation on Guam.

“We’re not in it to make money,” Claros said. “We’re in it to change lives.”

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