(SIS) — Saipan International School seniors Olivia Hwang, Stephanie Kim, and Lisha Lai were named finalists for the QuestBridge scholarship after completing and submitting an extensive application packet.
“We are very proud of our three finalists. These three students represent about 15% of our senior class. It is amazing to see such a large group being recognized internationally,” said Dr. Ron Snyder, SIS Headmaster.
QuestBridge has matched a student from SIS every year since 2020 and the school remains hopeful that they will receive more than one match this year. SIS matched Students are: Class of 2020 Malika Miyawaki (Emory University), Class of 2021 Frederic Guintu (Emory University), Class of 2022 Cevina Hwang (Princeton University) and Class of 2023 Tiana Cabrera (Wesleyan University).
The QuestBridge National College Match is a national program that connects high-achieving high school seniors with full four-year scholarships to the nation’s top colleges. This year, out of over 18,000 applications, 6,885 students were selected as National College Match Finalists. Finalists exhibit outstanding academic achievement and qualify financially.
“In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, I became a high schooler without any celebration for finishing middle school,” commented Stephanie Kim. “Many activities were restricted, and I couldn’t believe this was how my high school life would look. While waiting for the world to return to normal, my desire to try new things grew, motivating me to excel both academically and in extracurricular activities once conditions improved.” Stephanie founded a school club dedicated to helping the local animal shelter, shadowed physicians in the emergency room to explore a potential career interest in medicine, and took several leadership positions in the Student Council, Rotary Interact Club, and Model United Nations. She challenged herself by taking seven AP courses and earned the AP Scholar with Distinction award. Additionally, she participated in various school activities, including volleyball, soccer, cross country, and track and field. “The dormant stage I experienced at the beginning of high school became active as my years in high school progressed. Although I didn’t succeed in all my endeavors, I cherish the experiences I’ve accumulated throughout my high school journey, both the short and long-lasting ones. I believe that being a QuestBridge finalist opens up a multitude of opportunities for individuals who might not otherwise have the chance to attend colleges and achieve their dreams. QuestBridge makes expensive colleges affordable through the match process, and even if we aren’t ultimately matched, we still receive benefits such as waived application fees, generous financial aid packages, and the opportunity to join a supportive community of scholars. QuestBridge functions as a bridge that connects students to their dreams. I deeply appreciate their positive impact. My top five choices are: Brown, Tufts, Boston College, Yale, and Swarthmore.”
Focus and commitment are hallmarks of success at SIS and keys to developing a portfolio that leads to Questbridge offers. Olivia Hwang comments, “during my high school, I’ve have shaped my experiences to achieve my future ambition. Academically, I’ve consistently earned good grades and served as NHS president. Outside the classroom, I’ve actively participated in shadowing and interning in dental clinics and engaged in outreach to different schools to teach students about sustaining good oral health. These experiences have taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, perseverance, and opportunity in order to become a Questbridge finalist and on to my lifelong dream of becoming a dentist. My top choices are Emory University, Colgate University, and Columbia University.”
For Questbridge, excellent academics are important but are just a part of the application process. It also requires commitment to personal development and service. “Academically, I have completed and am currently taking 12 AP courses, earning the AP Scholar with Honor and the AP International Diploma awards,” said Lisha Lai. “Beyond academics, I have also actively participated in various extracurricular activities, ranging from my involvement in Speech and Debate since middle school to my current role as a Cabinet Member of the CNMI Model United Nations Club. I have also dedicated my time to community service initiatives, receiving the Best Interactor of the Year (2022-2023) award from the SIS Rotary Interact Club, serving as the treasurer of the Geckos 4H Club, a member of the Mariana Islands Nature Alliance Club, and a volunteer at Saipan Cares for Animals. Furthermore, I have engaged in athletic activities as the secretary of the SIS Golf Club and participated in sports like soccer and volleyball.” Lisha also had the opportunity to represent the CNMI during the Close Up Foundation trip after winning an essay contest. She had the privilege to meet Congressman Kilili at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. When asked about how she feels about being a Questbridge finalist she answered, “I am extremely honored, grateful, and excited about the opportunity this represents. Being selected as a finalist signifies recognition for the dedication I have invested in my academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and community service initiatives. The application process itself has also provided valuable experience. This recognition is a significant step toward achieving my academic goals, and I eagerly anticipate the potential opportunities of continuing my education at a top-tier institution.”
Finalists are selected by QuestBridge and will be considered by multiple college partners of their choice to be “matched” — admitted early with a Match Scholarship from the college. Finalists who are not matched have additional admission opportunities through QuestBridge and can receive financial aid packages that are often as generous as a full scholarship.
If picked as a Match Scholarship Recipient, students are admitted early to QuestBridge college partners with full four-year scholarships provided by the colleges and universities that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
The next step is for the finalists must finish up any specific requirements for the universities on their list they hope to match with. This requires them to write supplemental essays to each of their universities.
“This is an amazing opportunity to provide financial freedom to start their career without debt from some incredible universities,” SIS counselor Angela Taflinger said. “This has taken a lot of time and dedication to complete this extensive application but we all hope it will be worth it in the end. We are excited to see where their path takes them in the future and we are hopeful that the QuestBridge schools will recognize their hard work and potential.”
Olivia Hwang
Stephanie Kim
Lisha Lai
