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When perseverance opens the door to possibilities

When perseverance opens the door to possibilities

by Shannon Dufresne

Genesis Rendon '26 has been named a QuestBridge College Match Scholar, earning a full four-year scholarship to the College of the Holy Cross, a milestone achievement recognized nationwide. 

Selected from a national pool of more than 25,000 applicants, Genesis became one of 2,550 students nationwide to receive the prestigious scholarship in 2025 through QuestBridge. The award covers tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses, opening the door to a college education without financial barriers.

For Genesis, the recognition reflects years of focus and commitment to her goals. A graduate of Saints John and Paul School in Larchmont, she arrived at Ursuline with a strong academic foundation and a clear sense of purpose. When she discovered the QuestBridge program close to its application deadline, she chose to pursue it, managing an accelerated timeline with clarity and composure rather than panic.

Her response came as no surprise to her teachers and counselors, who have watched her approach demanding moments with a steady perspective, staying focused on what needs to be done while knowing when to step back and reset. For Genesis, achieving balance has become her quiet advantage.

"I think my most valuable tactic to stay determined is making sure I have a healthy balance between school and free time," Genesis said. 

"I think my most valuable tactic to stay determined is making sure I have a healthy balance between school and free time."
- Genesis Rendon '26

Motivation rooted in family

Genesis draws motivation from her family's journey. "I stay motivated by reminding myself how hard my parents had to work to get me here," she said. "Coming to the U.S. in hopes of a better life and fighting to get the best education, I know that I am privileged to be where I am, and I want to make my family proud."

Academic and college counselor Kate Flanagan '02, who supported Genesis throughout the process, describes her as a student who rises to challenge with quiet determination.

"Genesis brings a rare combination of resilience, intellectual curiosity, and artistic talent," Flanagan said. "She consistently seeks opportunities to grow and her determination definitely paid off."

"Genesis brings a rare combination of resilience, intellectual curiosity, and artistic talent. She consistently seeks opportunities to grow and her determination definitely paid off."
- Kate Flanagan '02, college counselor

Leadership and service in action

At Ursuline, Genesis leads with compassion, choosing roles that reflect sustained commitment rather than surface-level involvement. She serves as an Ursuline Connections leader, guiding and supporting her peers, and is the president of the Spanish Club. She is also a recipient of the Archdiocese Scholarship, recognizing both her academic focus and dedication to service.

Beyond campus, Genesis has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others. She spent significant time caring for an elderly gentleman in her community who lived with Parkinson's disease, supporting him until his passing. She also volunteers regularly at a local soup kitchen, offering steady service rooted in empathy.

"Even with responsibilities that extend far beyond school, Genesis remains focused and driven," said Flanagan. "She consistently looks for ways to lessen the burdens of others."

That focus reflects an approach long encouraged by Ursuline's Academic and College Counseling Department. According to Kathy Reilly, chair of the department, "Colleges are far more interested in sustained involvement and genuine passion than in long lists of activities that lack focus."

Genesis's commitments reflect that philosophy. Rather than trying to do everything at once, she invests deeply in the causes that matter most to her, building experiences shaped by purpose.

Finding focus through creativity

Art has played a defining role in Genesis's growth, shaped by both her natural talent and the strength of Ursuline's Visual and Media Arts Department. A gifted artist, Genesis is the Vice President of the National Art Honor Society and has had her work recognized by the Pelham Art Center. Her artwork has also been featured in Ursuline's printed school calendar, celebrating student creativity across the community. (Read more HERE.) 

Genesis credits Visual and Media Arts Department Chair and art teacher Mary Quartaro '80 as a steady source of encouragement and inspiration throughout her time at Ursuline. Through Quartaro's guidance, Genesis continues to develop her artistic voice while learning to approach her work with intention and confidence.

"Art for me has been an outlet to stop and slow down," Genesis said. "In many ways, my love for art has always pushed me in the right direction."

Looking ahead

Beginning in the fall of 2026, Genesis will study biology and psychology at the College of the Holy Cross, a private Jesuit liberal arts college in Worcester, Massachusetts. As she prepares for the transition, she will connect with Francine Rosado-Cruz '90, a Ursuline trustee and Holy Cross Class of 1994 alumna, who will mentor Genesis. Sisterhood at Ursuline spans generations.

Genesis sees that support as part of a larger tradition at Ursuline and hopes to offer the same guidance to others in the future, continuing a cycle of mentorship. As she looks ahead, Genesis hopes her experience will inspire others to believe in their own potential.

Dr. Colleen Melnyk, president of The Ursuline School, praised the achievement and the example Genesis sets. "The Ursuline School community congratulates Genesis on this outstanding accomplishment and celebrates the bright opportunities that await her at Holy Cross," she said.

Genesis's journey shows what is possible when initiative and perseverance meet opportunity. With a clear sense of purpose, she stepped forward when it mattered most, opening the door to possibilities and inspiring others to do the same.

  • 2026
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