TJ Senior Receives Full Scholarship to Boston College through QuestBridge
WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS— THOMAS JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL
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WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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TJ Senior Receives Full Scholarship to Boston College through QuestBridge
In the fall, Thomas Jefferson High School senior Ayo Solotan was having the same thoughts that most seniors have during their final year of high school – where to go to college and how to pay for it. With an older sister already in college, Ayo knew that financing a postsecondary education was likely going to be up to her. But thanks to her academic and extracurricular accomplishments while at TJ and her school counselor, paying for college is something Ayo doesn’ t have to worry about any more.
Ayo has been admitted to Boston College and has been awarded a full, four-year QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship. In the fall of 2025, Ayo will be enrolled at Boston College and major in nursing, a profession with family roots.
Ayo’ s school counselor Mr. Michael Kilcoyne first told her about the QuestBridge scholarship during her junior year and then encouraged her to complete the application process when it opened earlier this school year. First, Ayo had to submit information on her academics and activities, submit a writing selection, and forward two teacher recommendations. More than 25,500 students applied for a QuestBridge scholarship this year. From those students, 7,288 were selected as finalists. Ayo was one of 2,627 recipients who matched with QuestBridge’ s 52 college partners. This year’ s total is the highest number of recipients to date.
Recipients are admitted early to the partner colleges with full four-year scholarships provided by the colleges and universities. The scholarship is made up of a generous financial aid package provided by the partner college that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. There are no loans or parental contributions.
Ayo still has a few months left at Thomas Jefferson High School, but she said she is already looking forward to going to Boston and seeing what she can accomplish in a new environment.
Two TJHS Students Take Home Drama Awards
In January, two Thomas Jefferson High School students won Prime Stage Theater Drama Awards for their work in the fall production of Puffs.
Callie Dailey won the award for best supporting actress for her roles as Mr. Voldy and Cedric.
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Brianna Zoller won the award for best student makeup design and / or application.
In all, Thomas Jefferson High School received ten nominations for the Prime Stage Theater Drama Awards.
West Jefferson Hills School Board Members Thanked for Their Service
Every January, school districts across Pennsylvania recognize the members of their school boards as part of School Director Recognition Month. School directors volunteer their time to ensure access to a quality education for all students. At the regular meeting on Tuesday, January 28, West Jefferson Hills School District Superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon pointed out that the investment of time by school board members is worthy of recognition every month of the year, not just during January.
“ Every time they make a decision, whether it’ s a financial decision, a programmatic decision, a hiring decision, in their mind is always the question,‘ is it best for our kids?’” Dr. Janet Sardon said.“ And that is the core value they exhibit every time they come to a board meeting.”
Students, faculty, staff, and administrators from every West Jefferson Hills school took time to recognize the members of the West Jefferson Hills School Board. The food service department prepared a delicious dinner that the board members enjoyed before their meeting on January 28. Students from Gill Hall Elementary and McClellan Elementary made special placemats that were set at each board member’ s spot for the special recognition dinner. Prior to the dinner, the board members were treated to a performance by the Thomas Jefferson High School A Cappella Choir.
Jefferson Hills Intermediate School prepared a special video that was played during the meeting. The video highlighted academic programs, initiatives, and special events that take place at the school throughout the school year.
Students in the 3D printing interest group at Pleasant Hills Middle School prepared black-and-gold nameplates for each board member. Tech ed students at Thomas Jefferson High School designed a display of the football field at Thomas Jefferson Stadium. The district’ s administration office presented each board member with a commemorative piece of the old TJHS gym floor.