Eyes on the Prize

Seven determined and persistent seniors in the Class of 2026 inspired their younger brothers and sisters — and the entire St. Benedict’s Prep community — after attaining prominent college scholarships. 

For the fifth consecutive year, two Gray Bees were named QuestBridge Scholars, the highly competitive program that matches high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with 55 top colleges and universities. Kayani Jegatheeswaran ’26 (Girls Prep Division) and Sebastian Tenorio ’26 (Boys Prep Division) matched with Smith College and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. They are among the 2,550 QuestBridge Scholars named this year, selected from a pool of more than 25,000 applicants nationwide. Intended to remove all financial barriers, the scholarship covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, food, books, supplies and travel expenses. 

When the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation named its 10 NJ Evans Golf Scholars for 2026, four of them were Gray Bees. Kalani Durham ’26, Juah Awlime ’26, Ayman Zare ’26 and Walter Lawrence ’26 were selected for the prestigious scholarship based on their strong student-caddie record, academic achievement, financial need and outstanding character. St. Benedict’s Prep was the only high school in New Jersey with multiple scholarship recipients. Kalani and Juah are also the first members of the Girls Prep Division to attain the NJ Evans Golf Scholarship valued at more than $125,000 over four years. The scholarships are the result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation and the New Jersey Golf Caddie Scholarship Foundation. 

An Eagle Scout who led a trail restoration project at South Mountain Reservation, John Martinko ’26 earned scholarships to both the Army ROTC and Marine Corps ROTC programs.

More scholarship and matriculation news for the Class of 2026 will appear in the summer issue of St. Benedict’s Prep. 

What does it really take to attain the NJ Evans Golf Scholarship? Read this online extra.