(MCS) — Mount Carmel School proudly announces that two seniors, Heleyna Frielle Cruz Dela Santa and William Matthew Bongabong Cano, have been selected as recipients of the prestigious QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. Heleyna matched with Boston University, while William matched with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They join a growing list of MCS AlumKnights who have earned this honor in recent years, including Jaeyun Jung (2024, Boston College), Xin Wen Jin (2023, Boston College), and Victoria Santos (2021, Rice University).
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit that seeks to “connect high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities that help propel them to lives of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose.”
According to the organization, each “Match Scholarship Recipient receives early admission and a full four-year scholarship to a QuestBridge college partner…covering the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses.” (QuestBridge Press Release, 2025).
This year, Heleyna and William join a cohort of 2,550 Match Scholarship Recipients representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of the CNMI, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
Both students shared their excitement upon receiving the news.
“The QuestBridge Match Scholarship relieves the immense financial burden associated with a top institution. My family would not need to sacrifice their standard of living to accommodate my huge aspirations. Plus, not only is it a full ride, it’s a full ride to my dream school!” said William Cano.
Reflecting on her MCS education, Heleyna Dela Santa noted, “I’ve been at Mount Carmel School for all 12 grades, and I truly wouldn’t be who I am today without it. The Catholic values I grew up with here taught me to trust God and His plan, even when things felt uncertain. I just kept praying throughout the entire QuestBridge process, and that foundation helped guide me to where I am now.”
School Counselor Tobed Smith, who guided both students through the application process, shared: “William and Heleyna are distinguished by their exceptional intellectual capacity and unwavering determination. William’s top-class rank and Heleyna’s tireless dedication exemplify the perseverance and productive scholarship that made them truly remarkable candidates.”
MCS President John Blanco commended both students, saying, “William and Heleyna’s selection into the QuestBridge program is a testament to Mount Carmel’s legacy of academic excellence rooted in our Catholic faith. I have no doubt that they will continue to embody our school’s mission “to see with Christ’s eyes” at their respective institutions after graduation.”
Mount Carmel School extends her heartfelt congratulations to William and Heleyna along with their proud parents and families on this transformative achievement. The school community celebrates this milestone with gratitude, joy, and confidence in the bright futures that await both students.
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.
