Ocampo, Camacho lead Mount Carmel graduates

Two male graduates dominated the Mount Carmel High School Class of 2012. Billie Ryman Pensader Ocampo was named valedictorian while Lourence Jason C. Camacho was honored with the salutatorian award during commencement exercises held Saturday at the school grounds.

The older of two sons, the 18-year-old Ocampo is the son of Marida Pensader and stepdad Hugh Muscat. He is a member of the National Honor Society and the school’s Red Cross and Theater clubs and competed in various academic contests, including Mathcourt and Science Fair.

Ocampo was also bestowed other awards, including the President’s Award for Meritorious Achievement, Governor’s Leadership Award, and President’s Award for Academic Excellence.

“I feel honored and happy to get all these awards. I wasn’t really expecting it. Throughout high school, I just studied hard and did all my class work and homework,” said Ocampo.

He is set to leave for the University of Washington in Seattle in August, where he will take a pre-medicine course leading to his dream of becoming a doctor specializing in pediatrics.

Ocampo ascribed his academic achievement to his parents and teachers at Mount Carmel. “They were really supportive and really pushed me to strive for my best.”

Salutatorian Camacho advised students aspiring to graduate at the top of their class not to procrastinate. “The worst thing that would hinder you is yourself,” the 17-year-old lad told Saipan Tribune. “Usually when you’re doing work, you’re only problem is either you’re lazy to do it or you feel like doing something else. The main thing is just to focus and don’t procrastinate.”

Camacho, the younger of two sons of Luis and the late Florenda Camacho, was also presented with honorable mention for several awards.

Camacho was active in the school’s Drama and Red Cross clubs and took part in the Mock Trial, Math Court, and We the People events. He was also a member of the Mount Carmel Cathedral Youth Choir as a freshman and sophomore.

He has been accepted to Santa Clara University, where he plans to study engineering.

“I’ve always excelled in mathematics so I decided to major in engineering, although I’m still trying to decide what kind of engineering I should focus on,” he added.

The only private Catholic high school on island graduated 20 seniors this school year.