Mount Carmel School senior Brent Ortizo was named a Gates Scholar on Saipan. Ortizo was selected as one of 750 scholars out of 51,000 applications from across the country. The scholarship offers a full ride to any undergraduate institution.

The 18-year-old will be heading to Chapman University to study computer science in the fall. He’s interested in artificial intelligence and game development. "Not only does it give me the opportunity to pursue my education in the future and have it secured, but it also really helps my family and myself a lot. It takes off the financial burden that a lot of people have," he said.

Ortizo told KUAM News that he’s committed to using his education to help his island home.