Four Guam students are the latest graduates of the Pacific Summer Transportation Education Program, or PAC-STEP, National Summer Transportation Institute. 

Rhylaieh Taitano from George Washington High School, Francisco Egurrola from Father Duenas Memorial School, James Trono from John F. Kennedy High School, and Clark Elayda from Okkodo High School were selected to participate in the two-week summer camp that introduces students to transportation careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

The program was hosted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Oahu from June 16 to June 28. 

Taitano is an incoming senior at GWHS and she said, “I discovered that engineering extends beyond calculations and technical skills to encompass transportation, and the PAC-STEP program aligns perfectly with my career in aviation.”

“The Pac-STEP summer camp was educational and a lot of fun. I gained a deeper understanding of the work involved and the contributions of transportation engineering for the betterment of society,” recent JFK graduate Trono added

All four students met with Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, and Department of Public Works Acting Director Ernie Candoleta earlier this week.

“Immersive programs like this introduce our students to transportation engineering and planning, where they gain awareness of educational and career opportunities in this vital sector of our community,” said Leon Guerrero. “I am excited to see our youth participation and hope they will be inspired to seek careers in these fields.”

“Workforce development can never start too soon, and the reports submitted demonstrate the knowledge, experience, and lessons learned at the camp are seeds for growth as the students begin to plan their career paths,” said Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio. 

“We thank our partners in the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the Guam Community College for putting together this program. We look forward to sending more students in the years to come,” Tenorio added. 

Student testimonials can be viewed here.