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CHamoru Language Competition
Rules
CHamoru Language Competition
Areklamento | Competition Rules & Regulations
Eskuelan Ilimentåriu (Grades K-5)
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 who are a member of a school club or organization where the CHamoru language is being learned and practiced are eligible. 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.
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 prior to the Competition.
Coach or Chaperone: Each school must have a coach or chaperone (designated by the school) for each category their school is participating in. For every ten (10) students, there must be a chaperone present.
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 grades K-1, one from grades 2-3, and one from grades 4-5.
A. Each participant 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 themes: personal experiences, ghost stories, superstitious beliefs, an heirloom, an artifact, an art piece, traditional knowledge, cultural aspect, tradition, family oral history, custom, landmark, local history, legend, or myth.
Å. The student MAY show one (1) item that best represents their story. It must be noted that the item used for the “Show and Tell,” should not be extremely valuable, dangerous, or illegal. 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, nor a drawing or picture. (Note – The item is recommended but not required)
B. The top three (3) overall scores within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First place.
CH. Any student who has won 1st place in this category in the past three years is ineligible to compete.
D. Former competitors may not use prior stories.
E. Stories must be memorized.
F. For this category, students may wear their school uniform or an outfit that is representative of their story.
Sinangan (Oratorical)
'. Sinangan is divided into two grade categories, 4th grade and 5th grade. Each school can have a maximum of two participants, but each must come from a different grade category, 4th or 5th grade.
A. Each participant will give a speech on the current theme: "I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo"
Å. The speech must be an original piece written by the participant.
B. Each student will be given three (3) to four minutes (4) to speak about the theme.
CH. All speeches must be memorized. Notecards may be used for bulleted notes only, not for the entire speech. Points will be deducted if the student reads the entire speech from the notecards.
D. Judges will evaluate the merits of the oratory based on the following criteria:
1. Introduction
2. Message
3. Use of CHamoru words
4. Delivery
5. Conclusion
6. Stage presence
7. Overall Presentation
E. A numerical score of 1 (lowest), 2, 3, 4, 5 (highest) will be given for each criterion above per competitor.
F. For this category, the school uniform (or school-affiliated clothing, such as a t-shirt with the school logo) is required for all participants.
G. The top three (3) overall scores within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
Yininga' (Drawing)
'. This is an individual competition. A maximum of three (3) of the best drawings by a school from grades K-2, and another three (3) by the same school from grades 3-5 may be submitted. An elementary school may submit a maximum of six (6) drawings based on the above.
A. The drawing must be reflective of the theme, "I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo"
Å. No letter, written or printed, of any sort is to be depicted in the drawing. For example, the theme cannot be written into the drawing. The drawing must reflect the theme without any wording.
B. The drawing must be drawn horizontally on an eighteen (18) inch by twelve (12) inch or 45.7 cm X 30.4 cm 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) inches by seven (7) inches index card with the PRINTED full name of the student, grade, name of the school, and the name of his/her teacher.
CH. The following mediums may be used: crayons, colored pencils, acrylic, pastels, markers, or watercolor. No others will be accepted, i.e., pencils, oils, pens, 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 the competitor shall be disqualified. The intent of this category is to encourage students to put in drawing form their interpretation of the competition theme. Drawings must be held in a controlled place and not taken home.
E. The drawings will be on display at the CLASS Lecture Hall Lobby on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 and Thursday, March 6, 2025. All students who have submitted their drawings are highly encouraged to attend the Inachá'igen. Winners will be announced on the day of the competition.
F. The drawings will be judged based on the following:
1. Adherence to theme
2. Visual message
3. Use of color
G. The top three (3) overall scores within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
H. Digital copies of the artwork must be submitted two (2) weeks prior to the competition on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
I. All physical drawings must be submitted one (1) full week before the competition. The date of submission is Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Off-island entries must be received postmarked on or by February 25, 2024. All drawings must be submitted to the Division of Humanities Office located on the 1st floor in the Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) Building.
K. No late submissions will be accepted.
Koron Famagu’on (Children’s Choir)
'. This competition is a group event comprising no less than fifteen (15) and not more than twenty (20) members for Grades K-2, and no less than fifteen (15) and not more than twenty (20) members for Grades 3-5. A school may send a total of forty (40) members if they are in the grade groups described above. The singing will be performed on choral risers. Only one (1) alternate per class will be allowed.
A. The group will have two (2) to four (4) minutes to perform.
Å. This year, the competitors are allowed to compose their own song. An existing melody may be used, provided that the melody is associated with another CHamoru song, or use one of the recorded songs already in existence that best represents the theme, “I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo” song for K-2 and 3-5 for competitors for each group.
B. Songs should be entirely in the CHamoru language. A copy of the song lyrics should be emailed to the Inachá’igen Committee on February 25, 2025, one (1) week prior to competition day.
CH. For this category, the school uniform (or school-affiliated clothing, such as a t-shirt with the school logo) is required for all participants.
D. Instrumentation is not allowed. Playing of minus one or cd/audio/video of music is NOT allowed. This category is strictly acapella.
E. The teacher or coach is allowed to be in front of the group to start the singing only. They are not to sing along or out loud as the group members are expected to memorize their performance number.
F. The top three (3) overall scores within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
Eskuelan Talo' (Grades 6-8)
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 who are a member of a school club or organization where the CHamoru language is being learned and practiced are eligible. 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.
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 prior to the Competition.
Coach or Chaperone: Each school must have a coach or chaperone (designated by the school) for each category their school is participating in. For every ten (10) students, there must be a chaperone present.
Sinangan (Oratorical)
'. Each school can have a maximum of two (2) participants.
A. Each student will give a speech on the current theme: "I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo." The speech must be an original piece written by the participant.
Å. Each student will be given three (3) to four minutes (4) to speak about the theme.
B. All speeches must be memorized. Notecards may be used for bulleted notes only, not for the entire speech. Points will be deducted if the student reads the entire speech from the notecards.
CH. Judges will evaluate the merits of the oratory based on the following criteria:
1. Introduction
2. Message
3. Use of CHamoru words
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. For this category, the school uniform (or school-affiliated clothing, such as a t-shirt with the school logo) is required for all participants.
F. The top three (3) overall scores will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
G. Any student who has won 1st place in this category in the past three years is ineligible to compete.
Rinisådan Po’ema (Poetry Recitation)
‘. One (1) student will represent his/her school.
A. Each participant will be given three (3) to four (4) minutes to recite.
Å. The poem may be an original piece written by the student in CHamoru, or an existing poem originally written in CHamoru, or a poem written in English then translated into CHamoru (Note: Student must give credit to original poets)
B. Each student will recite a poem based on the current theme: "I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo."
CH. The top three (3) overall scores within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
D. A copy of the poem will be submitted on or before Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
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 an original chant (can be written by students and assisted by teacher/coach) related to the theme 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 performance.
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 their 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. Doing so will result in immediate disqualification.
F. The top three (3) schools within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
G. A copy of the lålai will be submitted on or before Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
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 OR ukelele either played by the singer himself/herself or a separate guitar/ukelele player. Under no circumstances is the accompanist allowed to sing either in harmony or in chorus. Nor 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 karaoke 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. Any student who has won 1st place in this category in the past three years is ineligible to compete.
D. The top three (3) schools within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
E. A copy of the lyrics should be submitted on or before Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Eskuelan Takhilo' (Grades 9-12)
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 who are a member of a school club or organization where the CHamoru language is being learned and practiced are eligible. 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.
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 prior to the Competition.
Coach or Chaperone: Each school must have a coach or chaperone (designated by the school) for each category their school is participating in. For every ten (10) students, there must be a chaperone present.
Sinangan (Oratorical)
'. Each school can have a maximum of two (2) participants.
A. Each student will give a speech on the current theme: "I Fino’ CHamoru: I Tellai i Taotao Tåno’ para i Manmaloffan, På’go, yan i Manmamaila’ na Tiempo." The speech must be an original piece written by the participant.
Å. Each student will be given three (3) to four minutes (4) to speak about the theme.
B. All speeches must be memorized. Notecards may be used for bulleted notes only, not for the entire speech. Points will be deducted if the student reads the entire speech from the notecards.
CH. Judges will evaluate the merits of the oratory, based on the following criteria:
1. Introduction
2. Message
3. Use of CHamoru words
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. For this category, the school uniform (or school-affiliated clothing, such as a t-shirt with the school logo) is required for all participants.
F. The top three (3) overall scores will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
G. Any student who has won 1st place in this category in the past three years is ineligible to compete.
Prufisiente (Proficiency)
‘. Up to three (3) 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) schools within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
B. Any student who has won first place in this category the previous year or years in high school is ineligible to compete again.
CH. For this category, the school uniform (or school-affiliated clothing, such as a t-shirt with the school logo) is required for all participants.
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.
Å. The only accompanying instrument allowed for the singer is a six-string acoustic OR acoustic/electric guitar OR ukelele either played by the singer himself/herself or a separate guitar/ukelele 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 karaoke 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. Any student who has won 1st place in this category in the past three years is ineligible to compete.
D. The top three (3) schools within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
E. A copy of the lyrics should be submitted on or before Tuesday, February 25, 2025.
Kånta yan Baila (Song with Dance)
‘. This competition is a group event comprised of no 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 Tuesday, February 25, 2025. 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 an immediate disqualification if this occurs.
E. The only instruments allowed are a ukelele, six-string acoustic or acoustic/electric guitar, folk or amplified, percussions, and wind instruments.
F. The top three (3) schools within each grade category will be awarded Third Place, Second Place, and First Place.
Kompetensian Video (Compentency Video)
High school students will create a short video presentation in the CHamoru language, demonstrating their creativity, language skills, and understanding of the 2025 theme: "I Fino’ CHamoru, I Tellai I Taotao Tåno’ para I Manmaloffan, På’go yan I Manmamaila’ na Tiempo."
'. Individual or group submissions are allowed. For group entries, a maximum of five (5) high school students may participate per video, including the video editor and any other technical assistance. Each school may submit a maximum of one video entry for high school students.
A. The video must be entirely in CHamoru with only a few English words and related to the theme.
Å. Students can choose any format for their video, such as a skit, documentary, commercial, storytelling, interview, or demonstration.
B. Videos must be an original creation by the students, with minimal adult assistance.
CH. Duration: Each video should be 5-7 minutes long, not including the credits.
D. Format: Videos should be submitted in MP4 format.
E. Resolution: A minimum resolution of 720p is required for clear viewing.
F. Submission Process:
a. Digital submissions must be emailed to the Inachá’igen Committee by Tuesday, February 25, 2025 5:00 pm ChST at inachaigen@gmail.com
b. Include a title for the video, full names of participants (max 5 students), school,
grade, and teacher’s contact information.
G. Evaluation Criteria:
a. Relevance to Theme (1-5 points): How well the video aligns with and reflects the
competition theme.
b. CHamoru Language Use (1-5 points): Fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary use in
CHamoru.
c. Creativity (1-5 points): Originality and inventiveness in concept, scripting, and
presentation.
d. Presentation Quality (1-5 points): Clarity of video and audio, as well as overall
production quality.
e. Engagement (1-5 points): Ability to capture and hold the viewer’s interest.
H. Attire and Props:
a. Participants may wear costumes or use props that enhance the storytelling or presentation.
b. Props should be school-appropriate and related to the theme. Avoid highly valuable
or dangerous items.
I. Awards: The top three videos will receive awards for Third Place, Second Place, and First Place. Certificates will be awarded to all participants in the winning videos, and the videos will be showcased at the event on March 5-6, 2025.
K. Ineligibility: Past winners in the video category (if applicable) within the last three years may not resubmit similar content or concepts.