Kyra Perez

Kyra Perez, a Communication student, won the Award of Excellence at the 2023 Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts on her micro documentary called “Kia.”

The BEA Festival is an international digital media and broadcast competition for faculty and students. The Festival typically receives over 1,500 entries every year from over 300 schools.

Perez’s win allowed for UOG to move from 79th to 69th place in the festival’s overall ranking, but the win did not stop there. Perez says that her award signifies that UOG students are just as talented as the rest of the nation in the film industry. 

“This award means that we’re just as capable as other schools in the nation. UOG is so separated from the rest of the nation’s colleges, so it’s difficult to feel comparable sometimes,” Perez said. 

“Kia” is a story about how paddling athlete, Kiara “Kia” Quichocho finds resiliency through battling meningitis, a disease caused from contaminated waters from training to represent Guam. 

Although this is not an award Perez was expecting, she says that the award has inspired her to submit more films into future film festivals, and that it has reaffirmed that she is on the right career track.

When asked about what was next for Perez, she explains what she sees herself doing in the near future.

“Filmmaking is a difficult career choice. I have many ideas, but finding the time and resources to carry them out is difficult. For now, I’ll focus on school and hopefully get a few more projects under my belt before graduating,” she said. 

Christian Gyles Ramos

Christian Gyles Ramos, a Business Administration student, received the 2023 Truman Scholarship award. 

UOG was established when Harry Truman was president, making this a living memorial for his contribution and support to the University. Ramos was dubbed the 20th UOG student to receive this $30,000 award to pursue his graduate studies. 

Out of 705 applicants from around the world, Ramos was one out of 62 that were selected to receive the scholarship. 

Ramos says this scholarship gives him the motivation to continue his graduate studies. “To know that I am able to represent Guam and the Triton spirit is one of my greatest and biggest honors,” he said.

Because the scholarship application was a rigorous process with essay questions and constant conferences with an advisor, Ramos says he did not expect to be one out of 62 applicants to receive the award.

“There were even times where I wanted to step down from the process, but my Truman advisor, Dr. Gena Rojas along with my friends provided me the motivation and support that I needed,” Ramos explained. 

Ramos shares how rewarding it felt to have the financial burden relieved from his shoulders. 

“My parents are my biggest inspirations and motivations because even with their struggles of having to provide for me and my nine siblings, they took on multiple jobs, worked day and night just so we can have a roof to live under, food on the table, and proper education,” Ramos said. 

Ramos is just like an average student at UOG, who works hard everyday to get through his classes. This award excites him to move forward with his future aspirations. 

“There are also other opportunities such as leadership conferences and professional mentorship which will help me as I become a future leader and public servant,” he said. 

Ramos will be on his way to the Truman Scholars Leadership Week in May which will be held in Liberty, Missouri. In this conference, he will get the chance to meet the fellow Truman Scholars from around the world. 

The post Two students receive nationally-recognized awards  appeared first on The Triton's Call.

The Campus Cafe, located on the first floor of the School of Business and Public Administration has been a staple option for food and drink for students for many years, however, the University of Guam recently made the decision to permanently close the cafe. While this may be disappointing news for many students, the impact that the cafe left on the campus community cannot be ignored.

Di Xiong, the owner of Campus Cafe, shared his thoughts on the matter in an interview: 

“We’ve been open for almost eight years. I think being able to give the students something they need to help them get through their day is important and I think we’ve done that very well.”

Xiong expressed his love for the students and the community and stated that if it were up to him, the cafe would stay forever. “I don’t know what plans UOG has for the space, but it wasn’t our choice. If it was up to us, we would just renew and keep it going.”

The Campus Cafe was more than just a place to grab a sandwich or a cup of coffee, but a place where students could gather, study, and socialize. 

It provided a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where students could take a break from the stresses of college life. The cafe was also known for its friendly staff, who were always happy to chat with the students and make them feel at home.

Jamar Nucum, a freshmen and computer science major, shared his experience with the Campus Cafe.

He mentioned, “I think the convenience, location, prices, and overall quality of the drinks and food were fantastic and that will be the general things that people will miss. The vibe and kind service they provided was super relaxing and an overall great experience.” 

In the end, the Campus Cafe may be gone, but its legacy will live on. It was a place where students could come together, share ideas, and make memories.

Xiong’s final thoughts summed up the sentiment perfectly:

“I hope that they remember the friendly atmosphere, how good our staff was, and how much we enjoyed taking care and serving them.”

The post Coffee to Go: Remembering Campus Cafe appeared first on The Triton's Call.

In order to ensure a safer environment, internal changes need to be made in one’s self and perceptions. 

We often have no idea how historical events have influenced our lives and how we navigate through the world, particularly in terms of privileges associated with the various identities that each of us holds. 

Amelia Delgado, who represents the University of Guam’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program, mentions that women, especially those of underrepresented races, are the most likely victims of sexual violence. 

“According to the [Center for Disease Control] one in four women have experienced completed or attempted rape versus the one in twenty-six men who have experienced completed or attempted rape. It’s hard to look at that and not believe that it’s related to sexism,” said Delgado. “Comparatively the ethnic group with the highest rate of sexual assault are Native American/Alaskan women. It is also difficult to not believe that that percentage is not affected by racism.” 

UOG’s VAWPP is taking steps to become more active on campus.

If you have ever experienced forms of sexual violence such as: rape, sexual abuse, unwanted sexual contact/ touching, nonconsensual image sharing, words and actions of sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent or exposing one’s genitals  or naked body to others without consent; please reachout to UOG’s VAWPP, located on the second floor of the Humanities and Social Sciences building in the I Pinangon office.

“We provide information on resources available on the island for those who are in need,” Delgado provided.  

VAWPP offers several resources to aid in mitigating the risks and instances of sexual violence. 

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Delgado, is inviting the public to a screening of “Promising Young Woman” at 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on April 27, at the UOG College of Liberal Arts and Social Science’s Lecture Hall. This is their third event of National Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Following the film, a panel of student leaders will be invited to share their ideas and take questions from the audience.

 “We hope that all who attend our events gain greater knowledge about gender-based violence and are empowered to support their loved ones to seek help and safety,” said Delgado

Individuals of all genders who experience gender-based violence are to reach out for help from loved ones and/or programs such as Victim Advocates Reaching Out. 

VARO operates a 24-hour crisis hotline that survivors can call at (671) 477-5552. Please know that you are not alone and there is a community of resources and support services available to you.

The post Ayo Was That Sexual Assault?: Sexual Assault Awareness Month  appeared first on The Triton's Call.

Last year was the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic that the film festival took place in front of a full crowd. The theme was “One Step Forward”, as in moving forward from the pandemic that almost stopped the world from operating at a normal pace. This year, the film festival will be taking place at the University of Guam inside the lecture hall. The 8th annual UOG Film Festival will be taking place on campus for the first time in four years.

This year’s class that is coordinating the event has double the amount of students as last year’s class. Reese Meno, a communications major who is taking part in coordinating the film festival explained how her and her classmates are preparing for this event. “With a bigger class this year we’ve been able to set a task list and divide various tasks into different committees such as decorating and sponsorships”. The students work diligently to ensure the film festival is a success for not only themselves, but for all the filmmakers and the people who plan to attend. 

This year’s film festival will be different according to Tatiana Ananich, another communications major who is taking part in coordinating the event. She states, “Two major differences are the venue and lesser restrictions, and because the Covid-19 pandemic isn’t as much of a threat as it was last year our guests won’t have to abide by as many rules and regulations”. The last film festival happened during a time when masks were still required and the amount of people at indoor events were limited. Almost a week before last year’s film festival, the governor lifted mask restrictions as well as the limited number of people allowed at indoor events, conflicting with the coordinating of the 2022 UOG Film Festival.

Of course there will be a few challenges along the way as coordinating events can always have its difficulties. “Overall I think time is our biggest challenge. Planning is essential, because we have to take into consideration film time, getting in touch with speakers, reaching out to sponsors, and working together to make sure everything comes together the day of”, says Meno. Although the film festival coordinates have their challenges, the sky is truly the limit because the students as well as the filmmakers are extremely talented. 

Overall, this year’s Film Festival will be one for the ages. The coordinators and filmmakers have been working day in and day out to ensure that this will be one of the most exciting events at UOG. This will be a festival you do not want to miss out on. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for May 5th. Before you celebrate Cinco de Mayo, come to the University of Guam Film Festival and watch some amazing films displayed by the students at UOG. For more information, follow @uogfilmfestival on Instagram for details about the upcoming event. 

The post Lights, Camera, Action! appeared first on The Triton's Call.

The importance of sustainability is becoming more relevant and significant. There is a growing recognition of the global and local challenges we face. 

One local sustainability issue is the island’s reliance on imports. 

Guam imports approximately 90% of all the food we consume and its residents are reliant on canned foods. “When importation slowed down, it kind of showed us how heavily we rely on imported goods,” Tatiana Ananich, a program support assistant at Guåhan Sustainable Culture, said. 

GSC is a local nonprofit organization that envisions a Guåhan where its people strive towards food sovereignty and greater food security, where its people are proficient in cultivating their own food and where its land, air and sea are sustained for future generations.

“It [food security] should be important because we should be responsible for ourselves. We should be able to sustain ourselves. Relying on other people takes that freedom and independence away,” Ananich said. 

In May 2022, the United Nations warned of a global food security crisis. Research reveals that food insecurity can result in ongoing short and long-term health problems. This further highlights the importance of food security that GSC and Ananich are trying to achieve for the community. 

Agriculture has an important role in society because it ensures the production of food and is consequently essential to food security and sustainability. A survey of over 14,000 people worldwide found that 93% report increased concerns related to sustainability. 

Ananich is among those with increased concerns related to sustainability and strongly supports the movement towards a local and sustainable Guåhan. “We [GSC] act as an educational resource for the community to learn about how the agricultural industry on Guam falls in line with a sustainable lifestyle for the entire island,” she stated. 

Ananich also mentions an after-school program called Li’l Sprouts Academy where she teaches elementary and middle school students the value of sustainable methods of farming and how to produce their own food. 

Additionally, GSC designed and built the Guam Green Growth Community Garden which Ananich frequently visits. It fosters the island’s alignment with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainability Development Goals. That is SDG #2: Zero Hunger, SDG #3: Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

For individuals who feel passionate about Guam’s sustainability, GSC offers a variety of opportunities to get involved. You can get in contact with Ananich and the rest of their team at 671-734-4721 or you can visit their website at gusustainable.org.

The post The growing importance of sustainability awareness is trending globally and locally appeared first on The Triton's Call.

According to UOG’s Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, of 122 alumni that graduated in the Spring of 2020 that received a bachelor’s degree, 54% report working a full-time job 12-months after their graduation.

This is a 3% increase from the year prior.

Furthermore, of 77 alumni, 84% received employment for a job related to their major in that year.

Finding work after graduation

Despite a high number of alumni receiving work related to their degree, some students struggle to find work.

Breanna Perez, who received a bachelor’s degree in Pacific Island Studies with an emphasis in CHamoru Studies in the Fall of 2021, applied to several organizations in the private and public sectors.

Like other students at the University, Perez utilized student loans to help pay for her tuition. Now she looks for a feasible solution to pay it back.

“The main difficulty I have right now is finding an entry level job in my field that is open,” said Perez.

She mentions that her lack of work experience related to her field reduces her qualifications in the jobs listed.

Perez owes over $25,000 in student loans. To her benefit, the U.S. Department of Education extended the federal student loan payment pause till Aug. 31 of this year.

She currently works as a part-time, retail cashier to temporarily support herself while she searches for a full-time job related to her field.

Mason Obispo, an English and Philosophy double major who also graduated in the Fall of 2021, has a different perspective on his situation.

He works as a part-time sales associate, cashier, and stock person at Calvin Klein since 2018 throughout his time in college and plans to find career growth within the company, utilizing his skills he learned from each degree.

“So the current work that I do is customer service and going to school for the past four years for [a literature degree] and then picking up a philosophy degree, I feel that there are skills that are learned that [I] can apply to customer service and I guess the whole operations in regard to retail the first,” said Obispo. “One is the ability to articulate things and to analyze them uh this is something that you learn strongly in literature in the ways that you read something and you’re able to kind of go about and deriving a meaning of something. In a similar sense, philosophy trains you to be analytical and to justify your claims and stuff like that and when it comes to

collaboration with management or with other coworkers and becomes extremely easy and in a good way like here you can your message across and have it to where you’re not jumbling everything.”

Beyond his work at Calvin Klein, Obispo is a music producer for several local artists.

Guam’s labor force at a glance

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly impacted Guam’s labor force and local economy. The pandemic put many residents temporarily out of work for several months due to island wide lockdowns and travel restrictions.

According to the Government of Guam’s Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor statistics, in 2020, the average unemployment rate for that year of the civilian labor force was 18.2%.

The unemployment rate reached its lowest in Sept. 2021 at 8.1%.

In Mar. 2021, there were 60,680 employed workers across all sectors.

Guam’s largest source of employment is the private sector. Providing over 40,000 jobs for the island’s working population. Within this sector, tourism is the island’s leading industry.

Although more recent statistics on Guam’s employment situation are not yet available, increases in the tourism industry should be expected as the island’s legislation on COVID-19 restrictions ease with lowering number of cases.

For the University of Guam’s Students

With many students entering the University directly from high school, the emphasis for students to actively build their resume and build career opportunities should be prioritized in some programs according to Perez.

“With this sort of idea or initiative it would allow students to find themselves through these opportunities for job security in the future as well as take preventative measures of possible changing of degree programs,” said Perez.

The post Graduation and beyond: finding work after earning your degree appeared first on The Triton's Call.

The Wednesday night market takes place in the beautiful village of Hagatña, the island’s capital. It is famously known as Chamorro Village. Guam residents witnessed the return of the Chamorro Village night market after a two year hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic. By the looks of things, it has not lost a beat.

Local residents, military, and even a few tourists showed their presence at a packed out Chamorro Village and they were ready to have a good time island style. Local resident Kiana Blas did her fair share of shopping, and enjoyed the Chamorro barbecue from local food vendors. Blas stated, “It’s exciting. It’s been two years too long, and the culture. It’s exciting to see everyone back, and the amazing food.” 

Speaking of food, there are plenty of options to choose from, such as 

A&L, Kris BBQ, 671 Kettle Corn, and Dikiki Donuts to name a few. There are also some nice novelty stores where you can purchase some nice Guam souvenirs. If you are bringing children along, they have a live carabao that the kids can ride for a small fee. 

The entire place was filled with excitement and the embracement of Guam’s culture was a beautiful sight to see. There were the traditional CHamoru dancers on one side, and on the other side there was live music led by local band Radiance. Lead singer Louise Muña says, “To see all the faces and the people dancing again. It’s so amazing to see them come out.” As they were singing some classic hits, they had everyone there dancing. Even to the point where people that were dancing got into formation to start doing the Electric Slide. They were one of the first bands to perform at Chamorro Village back in the 90s.  Check these ikaria lean belly juice reviews.

A lot of people know that most businesses were greatly affected by the pandemic. Some businesses even  had to close their doors permanently. Some of the usual businesses were not present at the reopening of the Wednesday night market. One of the businesses affected was Lorzalyn Artistry, a brand that is known for their henna designs, as well as face and body paint. “Honestly, it is our social media. We do have loyal customers that tend to pass the word down to each other,” says long time employee Aurora Gumataotao. A lot like Lorzalyn Artistry, the presence of social media has greatly benefitted local businesses. 

Despite a minor setback from Covid, the Chamorro Village night market is back like it never left. Food, fun, games, and an all around good time. It is a great place to become more familiar with Guam’s culture, or if you just want to get out of the house and have a good time. The reopening of the Wednesday night market just goes to show that Guam is headed in the right direction and it’s becoming Guam again.

This article was written as an assignment for CO-226: Media Writing.

The post Getting Over the Hump appeared first on The Triton's Call.

This debut wasn’t without controversy, as people found out that a transgender player was on the roster for Guam High’s girls rugby team, a matter that is considered new territory for Guam Football Union/ Guam Department of Education Interscholastic Sports Association.   

Guam High’s team challenged three teams that day, causing some to speak out regarding safety concerns.  

Coach Conrad Kerber of the Tiyan High School’s girl’s rugby team was one of the individuals that drew concern over the matter.  

“This is a matter of safety for our young female athletes and should be acknowledged as an imperative issue requiring our immediate attention before one of our females athletes receives a more serious injury than what was imposed on Saturday,” he told GSPN.  

As of now, no laws exist for transgender players in the Guam Football Union/ Guam Department of Education Interscholastic Sports Association. Kerber along with Academy of Our Lady of Guam’s rugby coaches all agree that the league, should adopt the bylaws set by the World Rugby organization. 

World Rugby goes by a case to case basis and deems whether a transgender player is cleared to play based on whether they have transitioned pre-puberty vs. post puberty.  

Former Guam athlete and Division 1 rugby player, Ha’ani San Nicholas, advocated in favor of letting the young athlete remain in the girls league.  

“I know that many rugby players in high-level of play in the U.S. have protested against the trans-exclusivity of World Rugby’s bylaws.” San Nicholas stated.  

While the bylaws state trans-women who have transitioned post-puberty aren’t allowed to play rugby, no such bylaws exist for trans-men.  

“There’s a deeper issue at the root, which is the failure of organized sports to recognize a fluidity of genders and sexualities…the best option moving forward, in my opinion, is to let transgender players play in their gender-identified league.” San Nicholas said.  

San Nicholas goes on to point out that Guam may or may not be ready for mixed-gender leagues based on caliber and skill, it has protentional to be the future standard.  

Another fellow teen rugby player, who remains anonymous, also spoke highly in favor of allowing the player to remain in the league.  

“In a way I do feel like she’s being discriminated against for the simple fact that she is transgender,” she told The Guam Daily Post.  

She mentions that if the GHS player were born a girl of her size, no concern would be raised, and there is indeed other girls who are stronger and faster than her.  

She ends her interview by saying she believes the adults shouldn’t stand in the way of letting her [GHS player] play, as they should remember she is only a minor wanting to learn a sport she likes.  

On April 22, Guam Department of Education released a statement communicating concerns over reinstating any new conditions or restrictions when the Interscholastic Sports Association Rugby season has already started.  

GDOE expressed that it is because the season has already begun that any new conditions could risk violating Title IX which prohibits discrimination in Interscholastic sports.  

Six days after this statement, the Guam Rugby Union confirmed their decision to adopt the World Rugby organization by laws, therefore prohibiting any transgender athletes from participating in the Interscholastic Sports Association Girls Rugby season.  

Some people took the opportunity to voice their opinions regarding this decision through comments on Guam Sports Network’s Instagram page, with the hashtag #letherplay.  

The post New Territory Explored in Guam’s High School Rugby as the Decision to Allow Transgender Athletes is in Question appeared first on The Triton's Call.

The 8th of March was International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to recognizing women’s accomplishments and advocating for gender equality.  

This year’s theme is #BreaktheBias, and organizers aimed to encourage people to speak about observed instances of gender stereotyping and prejudice. 

Multiple studies show that women are currently confronted with a number of significant problems that disproportionately affect them. Access to education, job opportunities, gender-based violence, and gender equality to name a few. 

A rally in Tamuning at the ITC intersection in Tamuning was one way our community on Guam commemorated International Women’s Day. There were messages shared vocally and on poster boards of their support for women.  

The rally was a response to the proclamation signed on Friday, March 4 by the Guam Legislature. The subject of the proclamation was healing and fostering hope in relation to the pandemic and how it affected women, reported the Pacific News Center (PNC).  

This proclamation is a homage to carers and frontline workers’ efforts. Furthermore, the theme acknowledges the healing and hope that women of all cultures have brought throughout history.  

Michelle Sablan, alumni of UOG, a social worker at Guam Memorial Hospital, shares her insights on International Women’s day.  

“As a woman and social worker, I feel empowered to help people in the community who are in need, facing difficulties and challenges,” Sablan says.  

“They rely on me to help them better themselves and their family’s lives. I find satisfaction in helping them and bringing that love and care to the community and my patients’ lives,” Sablan expresses.  

According to PNC news, every year there is a women’s club on the island that gathers together to help identify answers, create opportunities, and assist women. 

The women’s club is made up of numerous charitable organizations that help empower local women while continuing to advocate equality as well as provide scholarships for women. 

The US Department of Labor received a fair grant, and the Guam Women’s Affairs is now working on a program directed at equal pay and fairness for women in general according to PNC News. 

The post Guam Residents Participate in International Women’s Day   appeared first on The Triton's Call.

The Northern coast of Guam  is home to the popular beaches of Tarague and Inapsan, that sit on a porous aquifer holding 90 percent of Guam’s freshwater.  About 3 miles southeast of Inapsan, there is an explosive ordnance disposal site that the Air Force uses to detonate live ammunition. The beach is again currently at risk. 

The Air Forces’ explosive ordnance disposal range has been in use since 1980 and permitted by Guam Environmental Protection Agency since 1982. Open detonation operations have been in effect for decades, detonating live ammunition on Tarague. Open burning operations were suspended in 2002.  

For the Air Force to revamp this operation, they must renew a permit with Guam EPA to destroy up to 35,000 pounds of excess munitions each year. Defective bullets, anti-tank missiles, and grenades are just a few types of munitions to be destroyed by the Air Force. This will be done by specialized personnel detonating or pouring diesel on munitions on the beach for detonation.

Monaeka Flores, an original landowner of a private family beach in Inapsan commented, “The risks to the health and safety of our community and sacred resources are too great.” Chemical toxins could accumulate in the soil and possibly contaminate one of Guam’s important freshwater aquifers. “This activity can harm our sole aquifer which provides 90 percent of our water,” Flores added.  Plumes of toxic black smoke will disperse into the air, contributing to air pollution and can cause illnesses.  

 If granted the permit, it would allow the Air Force to conduct open burning and open detonation operations for the next three years. Residents will be forced to face the alarming question: How will this affect the health of Guam’s ecosystem and people? In an effort to stop the granting of the permit, please visit the following website and sign the petition:  

https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-us-air-force-plans-to-blow-up-bombs-and-pollute-air-land-and-water-in-guam

The post Proposed Renewal of Open Burn & Detonation Pit Permit on AAFB  appeared first on The Triton's Call.