The Jay Suszynski Memorial Scholarship was created by TJ Arts Founder Karen Suszynski and her daughter, Julia Malecki, in memory of their loving husband and father, Jay, who passed away in January 2025. Jay was an educator, a lifelong learner, an adventurer, a writer, a stargazer, and a renaissance man who loved sharing the cultural destinations of Pittsburgh with those he loved. He built a fulfilling career over more than 20 years teaching English, Humanities, and Film, first at Sto-Rox High School and later at Peters Township High School. When Jay retired from teaching in 2011, he continued his love of learning thruogh Osher classes at Carnegie Mellon University alongside Karen and volunteered with TJ Arts for many years as both a board member and treasurer. In retirement, he traveled the world with Karen, where his constant curiosity fostered a love of art, music, literature, theatre, sports, current events, and history. He often advised his students to “follow your bliss” and would surely share the same wisdom with TJHS seniors today.
The Jay Suszynski Memorial Scholarship was created in 2025 to honor a graduating senior from Thomas Jefferson High School who intends to major in college in the creative arts, performing arts, or arts education. This scholarship will award $1,000 to the most promising senior majoring in an arts discipline, including but not limited to theatre, vocal music, instrumental music, dance, studio arts, digital arts, literary arts, arts education, arts management, arts production and design, fashion design, architecture, and culinary arts. Additionally, students pursuing an education major with a focus in the arts or humanities will be considered. Candidates for this scholarship must be enrolled in an eligible educational institution in pursuit of further education in their chosen artistic discipline. The winner of this scholarship is selected by an unbiased committee of teachers, artists, and representatives of TJ Arts.
For eligibility criteria and application requirements, visit the main scholarships page.
To complete the universal application for all scholarships, click here.