MCS’s Bellas receives national honors
Mount Carmel High School student Victoria Bellas has joined the rest of the nation’s finest high school students after being selected for full membership to the National Society of High School Scholars.
Bellas is the daughter of lawyer Timothy H. Bellas and Frances Patricia Arriola.
Among Bellas’ several achievements include placing first and second in the National Forensic League Regional Competitions and placing fourth in the 24th Annual Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition.
Bellas, who is a member of the 10th CNMI Youth Congress representing MCS, also earned the honor of being the co-salutatorian of the 2004-2005 school year at Saipan Community School.
Bellas completed a course of study as prescribed by the Junior Statesmen Foundation class of 2007 at Princeton.
As a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, she is now qualified to enjoy a wide variety of benefits, including scholarship opportunities, academic competitions, free events, member-only resources, publications, participation in programs offered by educational partners, online forums, personalized recognition items, and publicity honors.
The Society only recognizes the top scholars in the nation and invites only those who have achieved superior academic excellence.
Claes Nobel, NSHSS founder and chairman and a senior member of the Nobel Prize family, announced Bellas’ selection.
“On behalf of NSHSS, I am honored to recognize the hard work, sacrifice, and commitment that Victoria has demonstrated to achieve this exceptional level of academic excellence,” Nobel said in a statement.
He said that Bellas is now a member of a “unique” community of scholars, “a community that represents our very best hope for the future.”
NSHSS president James Lewis said it is the group’s vision to build a dynamic international organization that connects members with meaningful content, resources, and opportunities that would help students like Bellas achieve academic successes and enhance the skills and desires to have a positive impact on the global community.
