Former MCS principal: ‘I am back home’

Former Mount Carmel School principal Bernadita Benavente Helstrom considers the school her home, years after first setting foot on school grounds. “I am back home,” she exclaimed while entering the campus on the first day of school. Although Helstrom, known as Sister Bernie in the early days of the school, will only be handling the school’s elementary students until September, she said she is “cherishing every second in the classroom.”

“I am thrilled to return and offer my service because the students are always priority,” she said. “I am glad to come back to help and offer my service for the students here. It is like coming back home again. I really enjoy helping the children get excited about learning.”

Former Mount Carmel principal Bernadita Benavente Helstrom. (Contributed Photo)

Helstrom, the school’s first indigenous principal, launched her teaching career at MCS in 1961 as a third grade teacher until 1965. In 1967 she traveled to Kansas City, where she earned her bachelor of science degree in Education with a minor in English.

After completing her studies in Kansas, Helstrom migrated to Palau to continue her career in education.

Helstrom also taught in Nevada public schools and Catholic schools as a certified teacher, having recently retired from public school education.

It was in 1972 when she returned to the CNMI and MCS and assumed the position of vice principal and was later promoted to the position of principal in 1974—a position she held for four years. 

She always had a passion for serving others not only on campus but in the community as well. Helstrom was instrumental in the opening of the Catholic Social Service on Saipan, commonly referred to as Karidat.

During her time as principal, Helstrom, with the assistance of Jess Sonoda, created the Mount Carmel School Hymn, a song consistently sung at the school’s weekly assemblies. 

Additionally, Helstrom coordinated school beautification projects with students and even helped open the very first library.  

According to Helstrom, the building structure of the school has drastically changed but the school’s mission of deepening faith and educating the whole person to see with Christ’s eyes remains untarnished. 

She believes that getting a Catholic education today is imperative.

“The difference between MCS then and now is that we had 700 students at that time. It was due to the fact that we were the first Catholic school at the time,” she said. “The academic level here has increased along with the diversity of the faculty and staff. With an enrollment boost this school year, it is safe to say that MCS is doing the right things.” 

Current school president Galvin Deleon Guerrero said it is an honor to have Helstrom on campus. 

“For her to serve in this humble role is humbling in and of itself. We are all actually hoping and praying that she stays the whole year. She is a part of the legacy of this school,” he said.