ORONO — The Maine School of Science and Mathematics, a tuition-free, public, residential magnet school in Limestone serving students from across the state, has two of the 1,044 finalists in the 2018 QuestBridge National College Match. Kuranosuke Yamada and Ethan Winters are QuestBridge finalists, according to a news release from the Limestone school.

In late September, the two completed the rigorous application, and on Oct. 19 they learned they had successfully advanced to the final level. This step required them to rank their top choice colleges participating in the QuestBridge Scholarship. Of the 6,507 finalists, 1,044 students were matched with partnering scholarships. Yamada and Winters received full scholarships covering four years of tuition, room and board, and all incidental fees.

Yamada, captain of the rocketry club, entered as a freshman from South Portland and said he, “plans to study molecular biology or biochemistry at Colby College,” according to the release.

Winters, a member of the math team, who came to MSSM three years ago from Mt. Blue High School in Farmington, plans to study pure mathematics at Bowdoin College adding, “I enjoy studying abstract concepts this major will provide,” according to the release.

Ana McCullough, CEO and co-founder of QuestBridge said, “our QuestBridge applicants can dream big‚ knowing that their hard work will truly pay off, and that they will not have to worry about the cost of attending these outstanding colleges and universities,” according to the release.

QuestBridge is a national nonprofit based in Palo Alto, California, that connects the nation’s most exceptional, youth with leading institutions of higher education and further life opportunities. By recruiting, developing and motivating students — beginning in high school through college to their early career — QuestBridge aims to help talented low-income students attend the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their respective careers and communities.