The Office of the Public Auditor's (OPA) Summer Intern Program ended with a resounding success. This marks the third year since inception of the OPA Internship and Professional Development Program in 2001 in which OPA has recruited part time summer intern analysts to gain hands-on exposure in the field of auditing.

From a pool of twenty-five applicants, William J. Samari and Ana Katrina B. Hofschneider were selected as this year's summer intern analysts.

This is Mr. Samari's second consecutive year as a summer intern. He graduated from Northern Marianas Academy in 2002 and attended the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. He recently transferred to the University of Hawaii, Manoa as a Junior and is continuing his undergraduate studies in the field of Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. Mr. Samari's future goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant.

Ms. Hofschneider is new to the field of auditing. She, too, graduated from Northern Marianas Academy in 2002. She was a freshman of Stanford University, California and is returning for her second year in the fall as a Sophomore. She is a double-major pursuing her undergraduate degree in Economics and Psychology. Ms. Hofschneider's future goal is to obtain a Master's of Arts degree in Management Science and Engineering.

While at OPA, both assisted in compiling information for OPA's Audit Recommendation Tracking System (ARTS). Mr. Samari went on to create a program that identifies the impact of resource allocations on the budgets of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. He also researched and collected data on the impact of gambling in the United States for a future comparison with the CNMI. Similarly, Ms. Hofschneider assisted in the design and development of the CNMI Campaign Finance Reporting Guide to assist political candidates and their treasurers in properly disclosing and filing required campaign documents. When asked to reflect on her days at OPA, she expressed, "My experience this summer at OPA has taught me much about the importance of accountability and efficiency in effective management systems." She went on to assert that this exposure will prove "beneficial" to both their studies and future goals.

During their initial days with OPA, it was apparent that they would become invaluable resources. Their intelligence, dedication, and professionalism will be greatly missed. Public Auditor Michael S. Sablan and his entire staff at OPA would like to wish these young, bright individuals continued success ahead.