College of Micronesia Trial Counselor’s 2018 Graduation

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Category: News

Published: Tuesday, 04 September 2018 05:21

Written by Bill Jaynes

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FSM Supreme Court 

On July 31, 2018, nine (9) students of the College of Micronesia Trial Counselor’s program received their certificates of completion, before a gathering of special guests, family members, and supporters.  The ceremony was held at the FSM Supreme Court in Palikir.

The certificate program provides training opportunities for current, as well as aspiring and upcoming trial counselors, to improve their skills and competency, and to prepare them to be effective decision makers in their respective courts. The program also provides for networking and sharing among trial counselors, and those interested in entering the legal field. Graduates have also gone on to further their legal studies in China, Vanuatu, and the United States.

During the ceremony, the opening prayer was given by Reverand Taylor Elidok, and opening remarks were made by Karen Simion, Vice President of Instructional Affairs, who gave an overview of the program. The keynote address was delivered by Jackson Smith, who was one of the graduates, and is the Chief Justice of the Sokehs Municipal Court.  Chief Justice Smith addressed the graduates by emphasizing the importance of a legal education, and the need to work toward a common good.

The certificates were presented to the graduates by Karen Simion and Associate Justice of the FSM Supreme Court, Beauleen Carl-Worswick. The closing remarks were given by Daniel Rescue Jr., General Counsel of the FSM Supreme Court.  Mr. Rescue discussed the special partnership between the College of Micronesia and the FSM Supreme Court through the administration of the Trial Counselor’s program, a relationship that has been in existence for nearly twenty (20) years.

Special guests also in attendance were: Joseph Habuchmai, COM Vice President for Administration, Maria Dison, Dean of Academic Programs, Dr. Denise Oen, Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Delihna Ehmes, Professor for Social Sciences Division, Joseph Felix Jr., Instructional Coordinator for the National Campus, Eusepio Hadley, Associate Justice of the Sokehs Municipal Court, and Dickson Martin, Temporary Justice for the Kolonia Town Court. 

The following are the 2018 graduates of the College of Micronesia Trial Counselor’s program: Hiteharu Augustine, Floriano Bonapart, Tamara Tara Booth, Mayleen David, Semenster Hadley, Stevick Joseph, Helen Paul, Michael Reyes, and Jackson Smith.    

In Photo

Front row: Daniel Rescue Jr. (General Counsel of the FSM Supreme Court), Emeliana Musrasrik-Carl (Director of Court Administration), Delihna Ehmes (Professor for the Social Sciences Division), Beauleen Carl-Worswick (Associate Justice of the FSM Supreme Court), Karen Simion (Vice President of Instructional Affairs), and Joseph Habuchmai (Vice President of Administration).

Back row: Semenster Hadley, Tamara Tara-Booth, Floriano Bonapart, Mayleen David, Hellen Paul, Hiteharu Augustine, Jackson Smith, Stevick Joseph, and Joseph Felix Jr. (Instructional Coordinator for the National Campus). Missing, Michael Reyes.