Seek Help and Embrace Challenges

Rakshan Raveendran ’25 has spent the last decade at St. Benedict’s Prep building a strong academic and extracurricular foundation. Now, thanks to the QuestBridge program, he is set to attend the College of the Holy Cross on a full scholarship where he plans to major in economics.

For Rakshan, becoming a QuestBridge Scholar is more than financial assistance — it is the realization of his ambition to pursue higher education without debt. “College was always a dream for my family,” he said. “My parents wanted the best for us, but they couldn’t provide that themselves. So, it was always on me and my sister to figure out our own path.” When he found out he’d matched with Holy Cross, his family had mixed emotions. “They were sad I was going away, but they eventually grew on it. Now, they’re happy for me and excited to see my career after college.”

Rakshan’s success stems from his willingness to seek help and embrace challenges. That drive led him to take college courses through Seton Hall University’s Project Acceleration and at NJIT, preparing him for the rigor of higher education coursework. Outside the classroom, Rakshan is an engaged leader. He serves as co-editor of The Benedict’s News, works on the Admissions Team and is president of the School’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

Looking ahead, he envisions a future in banking or real estate, with plans to pursue a master’s degree after Holy Cross. Rakshan also hopes to give back to the communities that shaped him. “I want to give back to St. Benedict’s and to the places that raised me. I can’t help everyone, but I can do my part to support my community in Newark and Irvington.”

As he embarks on this new chapter at Holy Cross, Rakshan carries with him a deep sense of community and perseverance. “St. Benedict’s taught me all there is to know about community,” he said. “How to treat one another, how to help one another and how to ask for help.”