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Guam Legislature presents certificate to 2026 MTCA national team
Summary
Sen. Chris Barnett presented Legislative Certificate No. 330-38 on Thursday to members of Guam’s 2026 Musical Theatre Competitions of America team and their coaches, recognizing students from several island schools who won multiple placements at the national competition in Anaheim, California.
The Guam Legislature recognized members of the island’s 2026 Musical Theatre Competitions of America (MTCA) team on Thursday with Legislative Certificate No. 330-38, honoring students and coaches who returned from Anaheim, California, with multiple awards.
Sen. Chris Barnett presented the certificate and said the delegation’s success showed “the heart and the spirit and most importantly the talent and the dedication” of Guam’s young performers. He described MTCA as a major national festival where students receive adjudication and workshops from prominent industry professionals.
The presentation listed multiple category placements across school divisions. Barnett named Renee Kabuag of Santa Barbara Catholic School as the first-place solo performer in the middle-school division and recognized senior- and junior-duet placements by students including Shereice Ka of John F. Kennedy High School and Gracie Serrano of Simon Sanchez. Other students Barnett acknowledged included Jeremy Hu, Mina Buntton, Charice Combo, Tess and Nora Santos, Michaela Harrington, Jana Blas and many more from island schools.
“Anytime students get to represent our island in a competition as big as this, even if they don’t place, they’re still winners because they come back with that experience,” Barnett said while thanking parents, guardians and staff for logistical support.
Coach and director Ernest Achoko, who was introduced from the floor and later named onstage, thanked Barnett and emphasized the educational value of performing arts. “The arts are an extremely important part, an integral part of the educational system,” Achoko said, adding that students benefit from feedback and mentorship provided by adjudicators from Broadway and film.
Assistant director and vocal coach Marie Cisson and other coaches were presented certificates for leadership and support of the team. Khalani, a coach who said she has worked with the Guam MTCA team since 2024, offered closing remarks praising the students’ passion and calling the experience “an amazing” opportunity for island youth.
The recognition was a ceremonial presentation; the transcript records no motions, votes or formal legislative actions tied to the certificate beyond its reading and presentation.
The ceremony concluded with applause for students and coaches and thanks to families for their support.
