MCS senior Brent Ortizo is a Gates scholar

Mount Carmel School senior Brent Matthew Ortizo has been selected to join The Gates Scholarship Class of 2023.

The Gates Scholarship program provides a full-ride scholarship to “outstanding, minority, high school seniors from low-income households.” Students selected for this scholarship exemplify academic achievement, service, and commitment to excellence.

Ortizo is about to graduate high school and he wants to pursue a degree in technology. “Influenced by my brothers and father’s love for technology, I wished to one day work with computers, programs, and various sorts of advanced technology that remain on the horizon of humanity’s technological progress. As of now, I desire to study computer science. …However, I do have interests in biomedical engineering,” he added.

He describes attaining the Gates Scholarship as almost a dream, since only 1.4% of its applicants are awarded the scholarship, which he said is an acceptance rate lower than that of various prestigious scholarships and colleges.

“Who knew that, out of all of the thousands of deserving and well-qualified applicants of the Gates Scholarship, I would be part of that 1.4% to receive it? I feel extremely honored, humbled, and grateful to be named a Gates Scholar from the CNMI and have the future of my education secured,” he said.

When asked what aspects of his application helped him stand out, Ortizo said one topic that challenged his creativity and writing skills was reimagining himself as a one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World in the year 2042 “Such a topic allowed me to become a visionary of the future aligned with my passions and goals to hopefully one day develop an efficient and sustainable way for quantum computers to become a normalized reality amidst our current technology,” he said.

Gaining the Gates Scholarship is also an opportunity to represent the CNMI. “Being able to represent my community in the CNMI as one of its many hardworking scholars at a national level…is not something that I have expected as a student, but it is something worth pursuing with great passion and dedication. Being named a Gates Scholar helps to provide me a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a positive impact and give back to my community while also achieving my academic and career goals.”

While representing the CNMI is an honor to Ortizo, he also aims to give back. “I owe a tremendous amount to my own community here in the CNMI. …My home definitely played a vital role in allowing me to come this far as the person I am today. I wish to one day give back to my own community by helping students in the near future navigate their own path to success, nurturing and growing STEM literacy within the CNMI, and potentially furthering the CNMI’s technological infrastructure.”

He also believes that MCS played a significant role in his life and the present achievements he has reached. “My soon-to-be alma mater, Mount Carmel School, has played a significant role in my life. As a student who attended kindergarten at Sister Remedios and has so far spent 12 consecutive years at Mount Carmel School, I have been able to not only pursue an excellent standard of education but embody my school’s mission of ‘educating the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes.’ Without the great educators, leaders, and role models I have witnessed lead, succeed, and helped several students like myself grow at Mount Carmel School for twelve years, I would not be able to become the student I am today as a lifelong learner. I believe that character, a strong sense of integrity, and humility go a long way toward being a high academic achiever, and Mount Carmel School undoubtedly has helped to encourage and grow these values within me. While working alongside dedicated teachers and other talented students, I have been able to find and develop my passion for STEM. I am ever so grateful to my Mount Carmel School family, so much so I consider it as my second family.”

MCS president Frances T. Taimanao said, “We are extremely proud and happy for Brent. He has worked so hard to reach this achievement. Brent has always dedicated himself to his school work, community service, and the extracurricular activities he is passionate about. His selection as a Gates Scholar is just the beginning for all Brent can accomplish.” (PR)