CHamoru Language Competition

Rules

CHamoru Language Competition


Inachá’igen Fino’ CHamoru Fañomnåkan 2023 
(CHamoru Language Competition Fañomnåkan 2023)

University of Guam
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Division of Humanities CHamoru Studies Program

COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. Theme:

  • I Fino' CHamoru: Gi Minenhalom Taotao Tåno' gi Inabiban Hinemlo' yan Gråsia
    The CHamoru Language: Through the Wisdom of the Indigenous People in Praising Healing and Grace

II. Competition Dates:

  • Lunes, Diha 13, gi Måtso 2023 (Monday, March 13, 2023)
  • Måttes, Diha 14, gi Måtso 2023 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)

III. Eligible Participants:

Only students who are currently enrolled in CHamoru language classes at his/her respective school OR in a subject where the CHamoru language is part of a daily lesson OR a member of a school club or organization where the CHamoru language is being learned and practiced. School clubs or organizations must submit a copy of their Constitution and By-Laws, and membership roster at the time of submitting their Intent to Participate and Competition Genre Participation Forms.

IV. Number of Participants from Each School

The maximum number of participants per school is sixty (60). Selection of students per school will be at the discretion of a designated school official who will submit names to the organizing committee at a set time and date indicated at the end of this Competition Rules and Regulations.

V. Competition Genres

1. Sinangan (Oratorical)

‘). One (1) student will represent his/her school or school club/organization.

A). S/He will speak on the theme: I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia

Å). Each student shall compose his/her original piece.

B). S/He will be given three (3) to five (5) minutes to speak on the theme.

CH). Judges will evaluate the merits of the oratory based on the following criteria:

1. Introduction
2. Message
3. Use of CHamoru Language
4. Delivery
5. Conclusion
6. Stage Presence
7. Overall Presentation

D). A numerical score of 1 (lowest), 2, 3, 4, 5 (highest) will be given for each criterion above per competitor.

E). The top three (3) overall scores among all the oratorical competitors will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, if funds are available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

F). Any student who has won first place in this category in the previous year or years in high school is ineligible to compete again.

G). Must be memorized.

2. Prufisiente (Proficiency) 

‘). Up to five (5) students may represent the school or school club/organization and they will compete in the following categories and will undergo a process of elimination as stipulated in items 1 through 3 below.

A). Three (3) events are subsumed under this category:

1. Reading Comprehension: All participants in this category from all schools must first compete in the Reading Comprehension category.  Twenty (20) minutes will be given to each competitor. S/He must read a selection silently and answer questions in writing. Only the top third of the competitors will be selected to compete in the next event, which is the Impromptu Reading.

2.  Impromptu Reading: The top third participants in this category from all schools will compete in the Impromptu Reading. Three (3) to four (4) minutes will be given to each competitor. S/He will read aloud a brief passage or poem given five (5) minutes prior to the competition. The top three winners in this category from all schools will then compete in the next level which is the Oral Impromptu Task Completion.

3.  Oral Impromptu Task Completion: The top three (3) winners from all schools will compete in this category. Three (3) to four (4) minutes will be given to each competitor. S/He will be given a practical task using appropriate CHamoru language and behavior.

Å). The top three (3) overall scores among the proficiency competitors will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

B). Any student who has won first place in this category the previous year or years in high school is ineligible to compete again. 

3. Rinisådan Po’ema (Poetry Recitation)

‘). One (1) student will represent his/her school.

A). S/He will be given three (3) to four (4) minutes to recite a memorized poem in the CHamoru language.

Å). The poem shall be provided by the Inachá’igen Fino’ CHamoru organizing committee and may be a minimum of fifteen (15) lines and a maximum of twenty-five (25) lines OR its length upon recitation will satisfy the three (3) to four (4) minutes of recitation allotted time. Each participant will memorize and recite the poem with no English translation or explanation allowed.

B). The top three (3) overall scores among all the poetry recitation competitors will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

CH). Must be memorized.

D). The poetry recitation piece is “I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia” written by Siñora Teresita Concepcion Flores, and Soledad Quintanilla Cabrera and is avilable on the website: http://bit.ly/CHamoruLanguageCompetition 

4. Låhi na Kákanta yan Palao’an na Kákanta (Male/Female Singer)

‘). Two (2) students, one (1) male and one (1) female, will represent their school.

A). Each will compete in two separate groups, one designated for male singers and the other designated for female singers.
Each group shall submit to the Inachá’igen Committee a copy of the lyrics of their song with the name of the artist on or before Tuesday, March 7, 2023, via email by 5:00 p.m. Judges will be provided with a copy of the selected song before the performance.

Å.) Each will have two (2) to four (4) minutes to sing a CHamoru song. The song can be composed and arranged by the student OR written and popularized by an original artist.
B.) Lyrics to the song MUST be entirely in CHamoru, not bilingual, or any verse presented in an English phrase, sentence, slang or expression. In addition, it must not be a translation from a popular English or foreign language song.

CH). The only accompanying instrument allowed for the singer is a six-string acoustic OR acoustic/electric guitar (not guitalele or ukitar) either played by the singer himself/herself or a separate guitar player. Under no circumstances is the accompanying guitar player allowed to sing either in harmony or in chorus. Neither should there be any background support such as clapping, stomping or rhythmic percussion of any sort from others. No electronic equipment is allowed but the guitar can be electronically amplified or connected to a PA system. Minus one music and ukuleles or guitaleles are NOT allowed to accompany the singer at any time. The singer will be disqualified immediately.

D). Attire for the singer will be evaluated in the judging ballot. A CHamoru costume is required. The CHamoru costume is interpreted in nature by the singer himself/herself and should be reflective of his/her song’s content.

E.) The top three (3) overall scores among the male and female singing competition will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

5. Kånta yan Baila (Song with Dance)

‘). This competition is a group event comprised of not more than ten (10) members. A group having more than ten (10) members will automatically be disqualified.

A). The group will have three (3) to four (4) minutes to perform.

Å). The song must be an original song or medley written and popularized by an original artist. The lyrics to the song must be sung by everyone in the group. The song must be in CHamoru, not bilingual. No solos, duets, trios, or quartets are allowed.

B). Each participating school shall submit to the Inachá’igen Committee a copy of the lyrics of their song with the name of the artist on or before Monday, March 6, 2023. Judges will be provided a copy of the selected song before the performance.

CH.) The dance that accompanies the song can be in any form that is interpreted by the group.

D.) Costuming and instrumentation will be factored into the overall evaluation. It is important that instrumentation and/or background music is NOT in a cd/audio/video format requiring an operator who is designated as a member of the ten (10) member group. Instruments must be played by and within the ten (10) member group. Instrumentalists that accompany the group of ten (10), whether offstage or backstage, are not allowed. There will be immediate disqualification if this occurs.

E.) The only instruments allowed are a six-string acoustic or acoustic/electric guitar, folk or amplified, percussions and wind instruments. Ukuleles or guitaleles are NOT allowed.

F.) Upon determination of the top three (3) winners (group), individual members will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals. Should funds be available, the school represented by each group will be awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements.

6. Inintetpeten Kotturan Egge’ (Dramatic Cultural Interpretation)

‘). This competition is a group event comprised of not more than ten (10) members. Only students enrolled from their respective high school or club/organization are allowed to comprise the ten members. No teacher, coach, administrator, parent or other is allowed to be a part of the presentation whether off-stage, instrumentalist, media operator or any task during the course of the presentation.

A). The group will write and present an original skit or play based on the topic provided by the organizing committee. This year’s competition topic for this category is, “Why should we continue to perpetuate the CHamoru language? Why is it important that we preserve and use it every day?” Groups are encouraged to be creative when exploring this concept in their plays by utilizing history, legends, and/or contemporary events.

Å). The total performance time is a minimum of ten (10) minutes and a maximum of fifteen (15) minutes. The time allotment must be honored and is inclusive of set up and takedown.

B.) Dialogue in the skit or play must all be in the CHamoru language. No narration.

CH.) It is important that the cast members must be always SEEN and HEARD by the audience. Backs and downturned faces make for poor staging. This must be considered when preparing for this competition. A group will lose points due to uncoordinated stage stance and/or poor performance blocking. Performances will be at the University Field House Stage. VOLUME is a strong criterion in this genre so cast members must speak in a loud voice throughout their presentation. The use of microphones, either hand-held, stationery and standing, or lavalieres are NOT allowed.

D.) Sets, costumes, music, sounds, lights, and props are important in the presentation and will be factored into the overall evaluation.

E.) Upon determination of the top three (3) winners (group), individual members will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals. Should funds be available, the school represented by each group is awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements.

F.) Must be memorized.

7. Kåntan CHamorita/CHamorita Style of Singing

‘). Only 2 students per school may participate in this category. This is a completely SPONTANEOUS performance.


A). Two alternates may be selected but once the competition begins they are not allowed to switch places with the participants who started the competition.


Å). Definitions: Påt means Set; Tiru means Round. A påt/set consists of two (2) verses or betso; and a tiru/round consists of five (5) påt/sets. Each påt/set consists of two (2) verses/betso - the Statement or Yinette and Response or Ineppe. Each Yinette and Ineppe consists of four (4) lines with the 2nd and 4th lines rhyming on the last word.

B). In this competition all student pairs from participating schools will be on stage at one time. For example, if 5 high schools elect to participate in this category, each high school pair will be on stage and competing against the other schools’ participants.

CH). There is no specific theme for this competition. Taking turns, each participating school will pull a theme out of a basket. Once the theme is selected, the first påt/set begins.

D). Once a theme has been selected and announced by the category facilitator, any of the pairs may begin the påt/set. The starter of the påt/set receives a point for his/her initiation of the set. By the same token, the pair that ends the set receives a point, too.

E). Only one member of the pair can sing at any time. However, anyone of them can initiate a Yinette  or Ineppe.

F). Responses shall be made within 15 – 20 seconds. Should none occur during this time frame, the Tiru/Round ends.

G). Should no school begin a påt/set within the 15 -20 second timeframe, that påt/set will be considered over. A new theme will then be selected to start a new round/tiru.

H). Once a Yinette is given the Ineppe shall be in the same melody/tune.

I). Vulgar language or/and inappropriate words and/or phrases shall not be tolerated and constitutes disqualification.

K). In addition to the points allotted for starting and ending a set, points will also be given for:

      1. Appropriate responses
      2. Following the Kåntan CHamorita format (4 lines, rhyming, etc.)
      3. Appropriate/Clear pronunciation
      4. Carries appropriate Kåntan CHamorita tune/melody
      5. Appropriate CHamoru grammar
      6. Uses non-verbal expressions and gestures, intonation and voice


L). School uniforms shall be used. Schools with no uniforms shall use matching shirts.

M). Students may stand or sit while performing.

N). Upon determination of the top three (3) pairs of participants/winners, each pair of students will be awarded bronze (third place), silver (second place, and gold (first place) medals. Should funds be available, the school represented by each pair of students is awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements.

1. Sinangan (Oratorical)

‘). One (1) student will represent his/her school.

A). SS/He will speak on the theme, I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia. 

Å). Each participant/competitor shall compose his/her own original piece.

B). S/He will be given three (3) to five (5) minutes to speak on the theme.

CH). Judges will evaluate the merits of the oratory based on the following criteria:

1. Introduction
2. Message
3. Use of CHamoru
4. Delivery
5. Conclusion
6. Stage Presence
7. Overall Presentation

D). A numerical score of 1 (lowest), 2, 3, 4, 5 (the highest) will be given for each of the criterion above per competitor.

E). The top three (3) overall scores among all the oratorical competitors will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

F). Any student who has won first place in this category the previous year or in the middle or junior high school years is ineligible to compete again. 

G). Must be memorized.

2. Rinisådan Po’ema (Poetry Recitation)

‘). One (1) student will represent his/her school.

A). S/He will be given three (3) to four (4) minutes to recite.

Å). The poem shall be provided by the Inachá’igen Fino’ CHamoru organizing committee and may be a minimum of fifteen (15) lines and a maximum of twenty-five (25) lines OR its length upon recitation will satisfy the three (3) to four (4) minutes of recitation allotted time. Each participant will memorize and recite the poem with no English translation or explanation allowed.

B). The top three (3) overall scores among all the poetry recitation competitors will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

D). The poetry recitation piece is “I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia” written by Siñora Teresita Concepcion Flores, and Soledad Quintanilla Cabrera is available on the website: http://bit.ly/CHamoruLanguageCompetition 

3. Tinige' (Essay)

‘). This is an individual competition. A maximum of five (5) of the best essays by an individual school may be submitted.

A). The essay must be in the CHamoru language with a minimum of two hundred (200) words and a maximum of two hundred and fifty (250) words and it must be titled with this year’s theme, I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia.

Å.) The essay must be typewritten, using 12 Times New Roman fonts, double-spaced on a standard 8 ½ inches by 11 inches blank sheet of white paper in black ink. NO other ink color is acceptable. There must be a one (1) inch space from the top and bottom and left and right margins.

B). These essays must be mounted or taped on a BLACK poster foam-core board that measures 9 inches by 12 inches with 5 inches by 7 inches index card taped on the reverse side. This index card must show the PRINTED full name of the student, grade, name of school and the name of his/her teacher.

CH). These essays must be turned in at least one (1) full week before the competition. The date of submission is on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Off-island entries must be received postmarked on or by Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

D). The essays will be on display at the CLASS Lecture Hall Lobby on Monday, March 13, and at the Calvo Field House on the second day of the competition, Tuesday, March 14. All students who have submitted their essays are highly encouraged to attend the Inachá'igen.

E). The essay will be judged on the following:

      1. Adherence to theme
      2. Use of CHamoru words, phrases, and sentences in content and context.
      3. Message
      4. Conclusion

F). The best three (3) overall scores among all the essays will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition. Winners will be announced at the Calvo Field House on Tuesday, March 14.

4. Tinaitai Koru (Choral Reading)

‘). This competition is a group event comprised of not less than eighteen (18) but not more than twenty-five (25) members.

A). The group will be given a maximum of twenty (20) line poetry written in the CHamoru language that will be recited in its entirety through interpretive recitation and synchronized stage movement.

Å). This presentation is performed entirely on a choral riser with individual members standing. A choral riser is the type used by choral groups or choirs in a stage performance. A performance done elsewhere such as the floor, stairway, aisle, and other areas other than the choral riser will be grounds for disqualification. From the beginning of the recitation to its ending, the group must present entirely on the choral riser.

B). Please remember that the Choral Reading is not the same as a chant and sometimes its delivery comes out more as a chant than a poem. A Choral Reading is poetry recited in its entirety and in unison by the members. It can rise and fall in volume, and it can be slow or rapid in succession. It can also be exchanged between or among the genders. No musical intonation of sorts is allowed nor a variation of sorts such as in the repeating of the same poem but with a different beat. The poem will be provided by the organizing committee.

CH). Because the Choral Reading poem is a contribution of a noted CHamoru scholar or linguist, under no circumstances are extra words to be added to it in any form. The poem must be respected as such in its entirety. Inclusion of words not in the original composition of the poem will be grounds for disqualification.

D). School uniforms to signify individual school representation are the only attire allowed to be worn by the group. No cultural costume, adornment, headwear, instrumentation, musical accompaniment, or prop is allowed. Uniformity and appearance are very important. A group will be disqualified if they appear on stage wearing anything else but school uniforms.
Upon determination of the top three (3) winners (group), individual members will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals. Should funds be available, the school represented by each group is awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements.
The choral reading selection was written by Siñot Joey Franquez and Ray Barcinas, and is available on the website: http://bit.ly/CHamoruLanguageCompetition

E). Choral Reading must be memorized.

5. Lålai (Chant)

‘). This competition is a group event comprised of at least eight (8) males and eight (8) females and no more than 10 of each totaling twenty (20) members per group. There must be an equal distribution of male and female performers in the group.

A). Total performance time is a minimum of five (5) minutes and a maximum of ten (10) minutes.

Å). The group must perform the given chant and presented with instrumentation that are percussive or wind in nature and constructed of natural materials, i.e., gourds or jambe, bilembao tuyan. Guitars and ukuleles are not allowed.
B). A chant must be an even exchange between the males and the females. It is important that it is rhythmic and shrill.

CH). Costumes and performance movements will be factored into the overall evaluation of the group’s presentation.

D). Because this is a competition for students only, under no circumstances is the teacher or coach allowed to be seen on stage or anywhere within its vicinity where his/her appearance is noted by the judges or the audience.

E). The teacher or coach is not allowed to introduce the group either with an opening chant, comment, statement, or any form of utterance. A group will be immediately disqualified.

F). Upon determination of the top three (3) winners (group), individual winners will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals. Should funds be available, the school represented by each group is awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements.

G). The lålai piece is titled I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Grasia, written by Teresita C. Flores and is available on the website: http://bit.ly/CHamoruLanguageCompetition


6. Låhi na Kákanta yan Palao’an na Kákanta (Male/Female Singing)

‘). Two (2) students, one (1) male and one (1) female, will represent their school.

A). Each will compete in two separate groups, one designated for male singers and the other designated for female singers.

Å). The only accompanying instrument allowed for the singer is a six-string acoustic OR acoustic/electric guitar either played by the singer himself/herself or a separate guitar player. Under no circumstances is the accompanist allowed to sing either in harmony or in chorus. Neither should there be any background support such as clapping, stomping or rhythmic percussion of any sort from others. No electronic equipment is allowed but the guitar can be electronically amplified or connected to a PA system. Minus one music and ukuleles are NOT allowed to accompany the singer at any time. The singer will be disqualified immediately.


B). Attire for the singer will be evaluated in the judging ballot. A CHamoru costume is required. The CHamoru costume is interpretive in nature by the singer himself/herself.

CH). Music and lyrics will be to download from the Inachá'igen website.

D). The top three (3) overall scores among the male and female singing competition will be awarded bronze (3rd place); silver (2nd place); and gold (1st place) medals and individual plaques (if available) at the end of the competition.

 

1. Umestoria (Storytelling)

‘). Umestoria is divided into three grade categories, K-1, 2-3, and 4-5. Each school can have a maximum of three participants, but each must come from a different grade category, that is one from K-1, one from 2-3, and one from 4-5.

A). S/He will be given two (2) to four (4) minutes to tell a story in narrative form in the CHamoru language based on any one of the following contents: personal experiences, ghost stories, superstitious beliefs, an heirloom, artifact, art piece, traditional knowledge, cultural aspect, tradition, family oral history, custom, landmark, local history, legend, or myth. The student IS REQUIRED to show one (1) item that best represents his/her story. It must be noted that the item used for the “Show and Tell,” should not be extremely valuable, dangerous, or illegal.

Å.) The item used for the “Show and Tell” shall be one that the student can hold on to during the storytelling process but nothing mechanical in nature or a drawing or picture.

B). The top three (3) overall scores among all the storytelling presentations will be awarded bronze (third place), silver (second place) and gold (first place) medals and, and should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition.

CH). Any student who has won 1st place in this category in previous years is ineligible to compete.

D). Former competitors may not use prior stories.

E). Must be memorized. 

2. Yininga' (Drawing)

‘). This is an individual competition. A maximum of five (5) of the best drawings by a school from grades K-2nd, and another five (5) by the same school from grades 3rd through 5th may be submitted. An elementary school may submit a total of ten (10) drawings based on the above.

A). The drawing must be reflective of the theme, I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia.
Å). The theme, however, cannot be written into the drawing. The drawing must reflect the theme without any wording. In other words, no letter, written or printed, of any sort is to be depicted in the drawing.

B). The drawing must be drawn horizontally on an eighteen (18) inch by twelve (12) inch or 45.7 X 30.4 cm acid-free and lignin-free drawing paper and mounted on a BLACK construction paper with an allotted two inches of space from all sides. No vertical drawing is allowed. On the back of the BLACK construction paper, tape or paste a five (5) by seven (7) inches index card with the PRINTED full name of the student, grade, name of school and the name of his/her teacher.

CH). The following mediums may be used: crayon, colored pencils, acrylic, pastels, markers or watercolor. No others will be accepted, i.e., pencils, oils, pen and ink or chalk.

D). Any drawings deemed by the judges to be too similar in artistic content to others from the same school OR deemed to be traced OR perceived to be too advanced for the age level of competitor shall be disqualified. The intent of this category is to encourage students to put in drawing form their interpretation of the competition theme. Must be held in controlled place not taken home. No Digital this year. Consider MS & HS only.

E). All drawings must be submitted one (1) full week before the competition. The date of submission is Tuesday, March 7, 2023.  Off-island entries must be received postmarked on or by March 7, 2023.  All drawings must be submitted to the Division of Humanities Office located on the 1st floor in the Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) Building.

F). The drawings will be on display at the CLASS Lecture Hall Lobby on Monday, March 13, and at the Calvo Field House on the day of the competition, Tuesday. March 14, and all students who have submitted their drawings are highly encouraged to be in attendance at the Inachá'igen. Winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 14 at the Calvo Field House.

G). The drawings will be judged based on the following:

1. Adherence to theme
2. Visual message
3. Use of color

H). The top three (3) overall scores among all the drawing submissions will be awarded bronze (third place), silver (second place) and gold (first place) medals and, should funds be available, individual plaques at the close of the competition. 

3. Koron Famagu’on (Children’s Choir)

‘). This competition is a group event comprised of no less than fifteen (15) and not more than twenty (20) members for Grades K-2nd, and another twenty (20) members for Grades 3rd-5th. A school may send a total of forty (40) members if they are in the grade group described above. The singing will be performed on choral risers.

A). The group will have two (2) to four (4) minutes to perform.

Å). All competitors in each grade category will perform the same song. This year a separate song for K-2 and 3-5 for competitors is provided for each group. “Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Gråsia” by Siñot Joseph D. Franquez and Ramon Barcinas

B). Cultural costumes are not allowed except uniforms that are representative of the school where the members are from. Uniformity and appearance are very important.

CH). Instrumentation is not allowed. Playing of minus one or cd/audio/video of music is NOT allowed. This category is strictly acapella.

D). The teacher or coach is allowed to be in front of the group to start the singing only. S/He is not to sing along or out loud as the group members are expected to memorize their performance number.

E). Upon determination of the top three (3) winners (group), individual members will be awarded bronze (third place); silver (second place); and gold (first place) medals. The school represented by each group is awarded a plaque for any of the three (3) placements should funds be available.

F). The lyrics and audio file for “I Fino’ CHamoru: Gi i Minenhalom Taotao Tåno’ gi i Inabiban Hinemlo’ yan Grasia” are posted on the Inachá’igen website.

VI. Distribution of Materials and Deadlines

A school coordinator/instructor is responsible for contacting teachers and disseminating all the materials needed to prepare for the competition. They will be communicating with the appropriate teachers in the very near future. Additionally, the school administrator will receive a copy of all communications on the Inachá'igen. The following calendar timelines are indicators of expected dates of completion.

Monday, December 16, 2022— Letters of invitation and notification will be forwarded to the Superintendent of Guam’s Public School System, the Superintendent of the Archdiocesan Catholic Schools, the Education Commissioner of the Public School System in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Headmaster’s of Guam’s Non-denominational Schools, and the Superintendent of Domestic Dependents Elementary and Secondary Schools DODEA., and Guam Charter Schools. The theme, the pieces for choral reading, poetry recitation, chant, song, the competition schedule and an updated Rules and Regulations will be sent by email and posted on the University of Guam’s website on the language competition.


The following are information on response forms that need to be submitted in due time for inclusion and eventual participation of schools in all matters of the competition. Because of past problems and the fact that the University of Guam is encouraging the Green Initiative, these forms are to be submitted via email. Absolutely no phone calls will be entertained and acknowledged. Any information sent via fax must be followed up by the sender within two days upon submission to ensure that it was received by the organizing committee. Everyone must adhere to this major requirement. No exceptions will be granted. Phone calls and faxes have proven to be ineffective and have caused untold frustration and heartache when they become lost in transit.

Monday, January 16, 2023 - Intent to Participate and Competition Genres Participation forms due. Form and email addresses of school administration and Instructors/Coaches for each competition genre must be submitted.

Monday, January 13, 2023 Applications for community members wishing to be in the distinguished panel of judges must be received by email. Send emailed applications directly to the Judges Coordinator, Siñora Rufina F. Mendiola at mendiolar@triton.uog.edu.

Friday, February 10, 2023 - All Schools must submit final Competition Genres Participation form.

Monday, February 27, 2023 – All schools must submit their student participation lists by genres. Please list student’s names in alphabetical order, last names first, and all names TYPEWRITTEN.

Friday, February 24, 2023 - Judges Panel for each genre of the competition will be finalized. Selected members will be notified by email. Those from off-island must secure air fare and accommodations to and from the University of Guam on the day of the competition, Monday, March 13, 2023, or/and Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 - Judges Mandatory Orientation 6:00 p.m., HSS 106.


Friday, March 3, 2023 
- All Schools must submit FINAL TYPEWRITTEN names of all student participants for all genres of the competition. Please list in alphabetical order by last names and by genres. Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - Competition Essays and Drawings must be submitted by March 7, 2023, by 5:00 p.m., to Ms. Tammy Muña, Inachá’igen Fino’ CHamoru, Division of Humanities Office, 1st floor, HSS Building or mailed to Inachá’igen Fino’ CHamoru, Division of Humanities, CLASS, UOG Station, Mangilao, Guam 96923.  Mailed in entries must be postmarked on or before March 7, 2023.

Essays and Drawings winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at the Calvo Fieldhouse.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - High School Male & Female Singers, and Song with Dance lyrics due to Inacha’igen Committee.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 - Inachá'igen schedule will be released to all participating schools, electronic and print media and put up on the Competition website.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - FINAL school participants names due.  Final day to make changes to student participants listing.  Note that such changes do not guarantee that a participating student will receive his/her Certificate of Participation on the date of competition.

Monday, March 13, 2023 – Competition on the following categories will take place at the CLASS Lecture Hall, University of Guam from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Elementary Schools: Storytelling

Middle Schools: Oratorical and Poetry Recitation

High Schools: Oratorical, Poetry Recitation, and Proficiency’s Reading Comprehension

Judging for Middle School Essay and Elementary School Drawing will take place in the CLASS Lecture Hall Lobby.

All students MUST be accompanied by their coaches/teachers.

Parents may observe the competition.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - Competition on all other categories will take place at the Calvo Field House from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Elementary Schools: K-2 Children’s Choir, and 3-5 Children’s Choir,

Middle Schools: Choral Reading, Chant, Individual Singing – Male, Individual Singing – Female,

High Schools: Proficiency - Reading Impromptu and Oral Impromptu, Dramatic Cultural Interpretation, Individual Singing – Male, Individual Singing – Female, Kåntan CHamorita, and Song and Dance

All students MUST be accompanied by their coaches/teachers.

Parents may observe the competition.


VII. University of Guam, Inachá'igen Fino' CHamoru Information

Coordinators:

Overall Coordinator:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Joseph D. Franquez

(671) 482-1227

jfranquez@triton.uog.edu

Elementary School Coordinator:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Soledad Q. Cabrera

(671) 727-7849

cabreras@triton.uog.edu

Middle School Coordinator:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Rosa Salas Palomo

(671) 727-5522

kailee.rosapalomo@gmail.com

High School Coordinator:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Teresita (Terry) Concepcion Flores

(671 )487-1800

florestc1211@gmail.com 

Judges' Coordinator:

Cell Phone:

Email Address:

Rufina F. Mendiola

(671) 688-4327

rufinam@triton.uog.edu

Humanities Administrative Assistant Staff:

Office Phone:

Office Fax:

Email Address:

Tammy Muña

(671) 735-2800

(671) 734-7930

adat@triton.uog.edu


VIII. Judges’ Panel:

Number of Judges Needed: At least 3 judges and one (1) alternate are needed in each competition genres. The genres are:
  • Eskuelan Tákhelo’/High School: Prufisiente/Proficiency, Sinangan/Oratorical, Rinisådan Po’ema/Poertry Recitation, Låhi na Kákanta/Male Singer; Palao’an na Kákanta/Female Singer, Kånta yan Baila/Song with Dance or Dance with Song, Inentetpeten Kotturan Egge’/Dramatic Cultural Interpretation, yan Kåntan CHamorita

  • Eskuelan Talo’/Middle School: Sinangan/Oratorical, Rinisådan Po’ema/Poetry Recitation, Tinige’/Essay, Tinaitai Koru/Choral Reading, Låhi na Kákanta/Male Singer; Palao’an na Kákanta/Female Singer, yan Lålai/Chant

  • Eskuelan Ilimentåriu/Elementary School: Umestoria/Storytelling, Yininga’/Drawing, yan, Koron Famagu’on/Children’s Choir.

  • Judges Qualifications:

    • Must be proficient in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing in the CHamoru language.
    • Must not have graduated within the past three (3) years from the participating school s/he will be judging in any of the high school genres.
    • Must not be affiliated with a participating school that s/he is judging, (i.e., parent or member of (PTA), student, staff, teacher, administrator, etc.)
    • Must be 18 years of age or older.
    • May serve as a judge in more than one of the genres.
    • Previous winners in either oratorical, poetry recitation, or proficiency are welcome to participate if they have no connection to the school they graduated from, and that item #4 above has been reached.
    • Must be willing to secure travel and accommodations to and from Guam at his/her own personal expense.
    • All applicants must apply for consideration. Please adhere to the date listed on the Inachá’igen calendar.

IX. Awards and Prizes:

  • All genres will have a First (Gold), Second (Silver) and Third (Bronze) place winners.
  • All competitors, judges, and participating teachers and/or coaches will receive a Certificate of Participation.

X. Competition Locations:

Monday, March 13, 2023, at the University of Guam College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) Lecture Hall, Humanities and Social Sciences Building.

Tuesday March 14, at the University of Guam Calvo Field House.