Six scholars from the St. Benedict’s Prep, a parochial school in Newark, have received the prestigious QuestBridge Scholarship. which covers all costs for four years of college. The scholarship, which is aimed at creating educational opportunities for high-achieving students from marginalized backgrounds, is one of the most competitive programs in the United States.

Here are the St. Benedict’s Prep recipients for this year and where they will attend college:

• Yair Abreu from Nutley, NJ will be attending Emory University and pursuing a pre-med track

• Merlin Dilone from the Bronx, NY, will be attending Wesleyan University, majoring in psychology

• Adrian Freire from Plainfield, NJ will be attending Haverford College, majoring in biology.

• Rakshan Raveendran from Irvington, NJ will be attending College of the Holy Cross, majoring in  economics

• Christopher Zaruma from Newark, NJ will be attending Williams College, majoring in economics

• Kevin Zaruma from Newark, NJ will be attending Williams College, majoring in economics

These students have showcased outstanding leadership at St. Benedict’s, making meaningful contributions across clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities. Whether serving as captain of the wrestling team, president of the National Honor Society, or co-editor-in-chief of the Benedict News, playing an essential role in the crew team and Gray Bee Investors, or managing the school’s garden, each recipient has made a notable impact.

“This year’s scholarship recipients exemplify the values of hard work, resilience, and ambition, and their success reflects the strong support system at St. Benedict’s Prep,” said Susanne Mueller, dean of college placement and career development at St. Benedict’s Prep. “Their selection as QuestBridge Scholars opens the door to exceptional educational opportunities and marks the beginning of a bright and promising future.”

In the last four years, St. Benedict’s Prep has had 15 high-achieving seniors receive the QuestBridge Scholarship, showcasing the success of the school’s strong academic program and unique education model that integrates experiential learning.

In addition to financial aid, the scholarship facilitates connections to a robust network of resources and mentors. Recipients are granted access to prestigious institutions that emphasize academic excellence, providing them with the support to excel.