Senator Shelley Calvo presents legislative certificate to Astumbo Middle School cultural dancers

Senator Shelley Calvo presented a certificate from the Guam Legislature recognizing Astumbo Middle School’s cultural dancers for winning first place in the 2026 middle-school division cultural competition.

Calvo, who identified herself as the sponsor of certificate No. 344-38, told students they should “take this moment with you. Take it with pride. Let it remind you that your voices matter.” She said the recognition honors the students’ leadership in preserving Chamorro cultural traditions.

The certificate text, read by Calvo, names Speaker Frank Blas Jr., the committee on rules chair B. Antoniata and legislative secretary Sabine Salas Matanoni as certifying officers and states the recognition is issued on behalf of I Liheslaturan Guåhan (the Guam Legislature) and the people of Guam with a March 2026 date. Calvo said the award recognizes the students’ “dedicated leadership to the cultural dancers and preserving the history and Chamorro heritage of Guahan.”

Presenters then called the names of student recipients to receive their certificates. Named winners and recipients called during the presentation included Kenneth Sabalboro, Abigail Pangolinan, Jasmine (surname not specified), Sofia Amoite, Michael Titano, Ashton Nelson, Denae Saint Nicholas, Matthew Paragas and Blaise Iqfadze. Calvo asked teachers to collect certificates for students who were not present.

A school advisor thanked Senators Calvo and Sabine Perez for the recognition and said the students learned camaraderie and expressed themselves “through song, dance, and chants.” The session concluded with organizers arranging a group photo of the honorees.

The certificate presentation was ceremonial; no motions or legislative actions were taken during this segment.