Long Beach High School seniors Jonathan Lelis De Sousa and Robin Xiao have been awarded QuestBridge National College Match scholarships based on their academic excellence and the completion of a rigorous application. Jonathan and Robin will attend Northwestern University and the University of Virginia, respectively, on full four-year scholarships.

From more than 18,500 applications that were submitted, QuestBridge selected 6,885 finalists. A record number of 1,464 students across the nation went on to earn distinction as Match Scholarship recipients.

Both students have taken an assortment of International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement courses and are involved in many areas of their school and community. Jonathan is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in the Art Club and Math Club in previous years. He serves as captain of the cross country team and was named All-Conference for two years. He is also a member of the track team and has earned numerous medals.

Jonathan plays guitar outside of school and performed with a group of friends during the Class Olympics. He is leaning towards a major in engineering and is exploring studies in physics as well.

Robin is an IB Diploma Candidate, president of the World Language and Art honor societies, an officer in the National Honor Society and an active member of the Key Club, Fashion Club, Math Club and Art Club. Prior to COVID-19, he volunteered through a local church, and he organized a food drive for his CAS project.

Earlier this school year, Robin won a Merit Award in the Long Island Arts Alliance’s Scholar Artist Awards Program. Last year, his work was showcased in the “Advanced Visions 16: High School Artists of Excellence Exhibition” at LIU Post and his photography has been selected for the Long Island Arts Council Show in Freeport in the past as well. He is interested in sustainable architecture and plans to pursue architecture and possibly engineering in college.