A public hearing on the charter petition was held Tuesday evening with an overwhelming amount in support of Maga’låhen Hurao Academy CHamoru Academy Charter School.

Ayuda I Famagu’on-ta was sung, translating to ‘help our children.’

The tune was sung by Eden “Umitde” Cruz and Erika “Lålai” Paulino at the end of a public hearing in support for the petition of the Maga'lahen Hurao-CHamoru Academy Charter School. 

Since its inception in 2005, Hurao Academy, Guam's first full-immersion CHamoru language program has been a dream that was driven by passion and purpose for founder Ann Marie Arceo. 

For almost twenty years, Hurao has offered summer classes, family immersion programs, and even corporate and adult classes.

“I remain steadfast only in the responsibility that we need to do more than what already existed in culture and language revitalization. I imagine a place where children are not only deeply connected to their CHamoru identity in our cultural roots and traditions, but to be able to live it,” said Arceo. 

Tuesday evening, many went before Guam Academy Charter School Council and spoke in full support of the petition for Hurao to become a charter school. 

Jeniece Hernandez provided an emotional testimony.

“For my son, I want him to know his culture and identity. Growing up in a private school with a western style education, there was always a disconnect because all that I knew culturally and language was being practiced at home or at Hurao. Any chance I would have to go to Hurao, that was where I was always reminded of my why. Why I want to pass my culture and language to my son and to all the other children that I possibly can,” said Hernandez. 

Guam Visitors Bureau President and CEO Carl Gutierrez whose grandkids have benefited from the immersion program spoke as well.

“We all know change is hard- hard to grasp, hard to accept and hard to handle. If we neglect our culture any longer, our biggest changes swirl around us and I Kuttura-ta will be swept away. We accept that we are letting our guard down,” said Gutierrez.  

“For 20 years, the Hurao academy has been the calm eye of the storm in constant change. Hurao teaches us CHamoru language and culture to our Famaguon of tender ages- when they are the most impressionable and quickest to learn- full of innocence and free of doubt,” he added.

The board will meet in June and take a vote. If approved, this will be the third charter school for Guam in less than a year and the seventh charter school.