College Board honors MCS student

The National College Board recently recognized a Mount Carmel School senior for his exemplary examination scores on his college placement exam and Advanced Placement courses.

Richard Jesus Mafnas Villagomez was awarded the Indigenous Recognition Award and the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award based on the College Board National Recognition Program, which is designed to aid underrepresented students who have demonstrated high academic achievement in PSAT/NMSQT, the PSAT 10, or AP Exams. The program is also meant to create pathways for students by awarding them academic honors and connecting them with universities across the United States.

Villagomez is the current National Honor Society president for the Mount Carmel School’s Sacred Heart Chapter. As an exemplary student leader, he is the school’s Art Club treasurer, ECO Club secretary, Math Club secretary, and has held previous leadership positions as a class officer. Throughout his high school career, Villagomez has been an active member of his school and local community by participating in various extracurricular activities such as Art Club, ECO Club, the National Honor Society, Mock Trial, and TED-Ed Club.

Villagomez

In addition to his extensive involvement as a student leader, Villagomez is also an honors student, having completed Advanced Placement, or AP, courses that include AP Calculus, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Literature, and AP U.S. History.

Villagomez is currently set to graduate on June 4, 2022.

Villagomez has been accepted into Arizona State University, California Polytechnic Institute of Pomona, Cornell University, Duquesne University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Seattle Pacific University, University of California Berkeley, University of California Davis, University of California Irvine, University of Portland, University of San Francisco, and Washington University in St. Louis.

Villagomez intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science and specialize in software development or Web development. It is Villagomez’s intention to return to the CNMI after earning his degree and gaining experience in this field.

As Villagomez reflects on his experience at Mount Carmel School, he said, “MCS has contributed to my growth beyond academics. I’ve learned a lot of lessons in and out of the classroom, made incredible friends, and studied under devoted teachers—all of which have made me who I am today. Without the undying support of my family and our school, I would have never earned this award.”

Mount Carmel School’s acting president Frances Taimanao commends Villagomez on this achievement and shares her own confidence in his continued success. “Richard is truly deserving of his recognition and like his peers, it comes as no surprise to our family at Mount Carmel School. Richard is a true model of scholarship, service, and character and I am excited to see all the great things he will certainly accomplish as he pursues an undergraduate degree.” (PR)