MANGILAO, Guam <\/em>\u2014Perseverance, hard work and leadership are words that best\ndescribe John F. Kennedy\u2019s Class of 2018 salutatorian Seanna Bataclan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The second-year UOG\nbiology major has taken up leadership roles at UOG. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In September 2019, Bataclan\nassembled Merit students to meet with officials at the UOG Financial Aid office\nand the offices of Sen. Joe San Augustin and Sen. Amanda Shelton to change PL\n34-151. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public Law 34-151 was\nsigned into law by Gov. Eddie Baza Calvo on Dec. 28, 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill uses a Merit\nstudent\u2019s Pell grant to cover the initial cost of tuition where the Student\nFinancial Assistance Fund pays for the remaining amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bataclan said the Pell\nGrant provides much needed funding for academic success outside of tuition and\nshould be a refunded back to Merit students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of shared\nsentiment between us even though we have differing opinions,\u201d she said. \u201cWe all\nutilize the Pell Grant for the betterment of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In previous semesters, Bataclan\nused her Pell Grant to help pay for extra expenses when she attended an\nenrichment program surrounding health disparities on Guam, mainly regarding\nwomen, at Portland State University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At present, senators are\nstill deliberating the proposed changes for PL 34-151. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt this point it\u2019s just\na waiting game and preparation for any future public hearings and any future\ntestimonies,\u201d Bataclan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite taking 21 credits\nthis semester, Bataclan continues to fight for the Merit students so that they\ncan have a voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI do it because I know\nthis is what\u2019s right,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s not only affecting the students its also\naffecting some of the families of these students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bataclan said getting\ninvolved with extracurricular programs allowed her to develop her leadership\nand scholastic skills, which helped her to become successful in high school. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bataclan was selected for the Merit Award Program, which covers her tuition and fees at UOG for four academic years, and provides her with a monthly stipend and book allowance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bataclan attributes much\nof her academic success to her family. \u201cIt was more of like wanting to make my\nfamily proud,\u201d Bataclan stated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n