(MCS) — Mount Carmel School is proud to announce that Thomas Lee A. Manglona II, a member of the AlumKnight Class of 2016 and founder of Marianas Press, will deliver the keynote address for the 2026 High School Commencement Exercises. Despite the demanding nature of providing vital news coverage during the CNMI’s ongoing recovery from Super Typhoon Sinlaku, Thomas remains steadfast in his commitment to address the graduating class.
Thomas’ journey at MCS began when he relocated from Rota to Saipan to attend Mount Carmel for high school in 2012. During that time, Thomas was a catalyst for student media: establishing a journalism club and pushing for the start of a journalism elective course. The roots of what would become Marianas Press began when he and other students began producing weekly school news segments aptly titled the “Knightly News.” Thomas excelled academically as a student — becoming a Gates Millenium Scholar all while working as a reporter for local and regional news outlets such as the Saipan Tribune, Marianas Variety, and Pacific News Center. Thomas leveraged these relationships with local journalism professionals to elevate the school’s Knightly News by having regional news anchors make guest appearances on the broadcast.
After graduating from MCS in 2016, Thomas began his studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a B.A. in Media Studies. He quickly expanded his reach into national media, securing a high-profile internship with ABC News in New York City. His academic journey continued at Stanford University, where he earned an M.A. in Journalism. Throughout those rigorous years, Thomas distinguished himself not only in the classroom and the newsroom but also as an emerging global leader, earning recognition as a Truman Scholar, an Obama Leader, and a Carter Foundation Fellow. Upon coming home, Thomas returned to working in regional newsrooms such as KUAM News in Guam and established their regional hub in the CNMI. Upon the closure of longtime newspaper Saipan Tribune, Thomas founded Marianas Press in November 2024 and reestablished a CNMI chapter for the Society of Professional Journalists after it had been dormant for 30 years. His local reporting has appeared on CBS News, CNN, the Associated Press, and more.
MCS President John S. Blanco commented on Thomas’ selection saying, “Thomas truly embodies the impact of a Mount Carmel School education — cultivating students who become leaders guided by moral Christian values who actively serve their community.” Blanco also reflected on Thomas’ present work saying, “Thomas’ career speaks for itself, and he is already an inspiration to many students at MCS today.”
Selected by the Senior Class of 2026 themselves, Thomas’ speech coincides with his own 10-year class reunion. Thomas remarked, “I am honored to be asked to share a few words with this year’s seniors who have been through so much during their time at Mount Carmel School. We have a lot to learn from this generation about how to be resilient and hopeful in every circumstance.”
Senior Class President Patricia Ordas described the process behind selecting their class’ speaker back in January of this year saying, “we looked at what Thomas has accomplished since graduating from MCS and felt we could learn a lot from him, especially, since he was a Knight just like us not that long ago.”
This year’s slate of commencement exercises for Mount Carmel School are expected to proceed as originally scheduled — all taking place at the historic and beloved Mt. Carmel Cathedral. The MCS kindergarten graduation is scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 4 p.m. The Baccalaureate Mass for middle & high school graduates will be on Friday, May 29 at 4 p.m. The middle school graduation is scheduled for Saturday, May 30 at 9 a.m. and the high school graduation will be held that same day at 4 p.m.
Mount Carmel School extends her deepest gratitude to the first-responders, community partners, volunteers, and employees who lent a hand to ensure a smooth school reopening. Special thanks to the office of Rep. Danny Aquino for their efforts to clear debris from our school grounds as well as to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and Guam Power Authority for their work to restore 24-hour water and power services to ensure a safe and comfortable conclusion to this school year.
About MCS
Founded in 1952, Mount Carmel School is the CNMI’s largest private K–12 Catholic institution. Guided by its mission to educate the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes, the school provides a rigorous, faith-based education that prepares students for academic success, leadership, and service to the community.
