With a heavy heart, we share the sad news that Joe Matteo, who was a dear friend to TJ Arts, music arts supporter, and retired Thomas Jefferson High School teacher, passed away on February 2, 2024, at 91 years of age. 

With a great deal of trust and faith in our stewardship of his large donation to TJ Arts, Joe created our first endowed music scholarship. The Matteo Music Scholarship was created to honor his family of music performers and educators. Today, this scholarship has grown to award up to $3,000 a year to a talented and deserving West Jefferson Hills senior who wants to pursue a career in music. Joe has also inspired other scholarship gifts, and TJ Arts now gives up to $10,000 annually to graduating WJHSD students in the arts.

Joe was a dear friend and a blessing to TJ Arts. His legacy and passion for music will forever be remembered. For more information about Joe’s life and legacy, his obituary is available here.

Students may apply for our scholarships, including the Matteo Music Scholarship, now through April 19, 2024. Visit the scholarship page for more information and the universal application form.

Each year, TJ Arts sponsors several annual scholarships for graduating high-school seniors living in West Jefferson Hills School District who study and excel in any facet of the arts.

This year, we are proud to offer up to $10,000 in scholarships!


Eligible students may study from a variety of artistic disciplines, including 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. We have created a universal application for students to apply. All applications are due by Friday, April 19, 2024.


Visit our scholarship page to review the eligibility criteria and requirements for all applicants.

The winners of these scholarships are selected by an unbiased committee of teachers, independent artists, arts educators, and representatives of TJ Arts. TJ Arts reserves the right not to award a scholarship if the selection committee determines that no candidates provide sufficient materials.

TJ Arts is thrilled to announce that we are awarding a record $10,000 to five deserving graduating seniors in the arts from Thomas Jefferson High School this year!

The following students were recognized at the TJHS Senior Awards Ceremony on June 1, 2023 and received their scholarships from TJ Arts Chair Dawn Walters. We wish them well in their college studies!


Theo Doerfler received the Matteo Music Scholarship and the TJ Arts Board Scholarship. He plans to study Music Composition at Wheaton College.

Rachael Parsons received the the TJ Class of 1982 Scholarship and the Margie Liberati Memorial Music Scholarship. She plans to study Musical Theatre at Oklahoma City University.

Violet Spang received the Matteo Music Scholarship and the Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship. She plans to study Music Performance at Duquesne University.

Morgan Allan received the TJ Arts Board Scholarship. She plans to study Graphic Design at Coastal Carolina University.

Lillian Olson received the TJ Arts Board Scholarship. She plans to study Graphic Communications at Kent State University.

Last month, we celebrated some extraordinary individuals at the inaugural Thomas Jefferson High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony! The 31 honorees included alumni, teachers, staff, and community members who have distinguished themselves in Academics, Arts, or Athletics. Five people were honored for their contributions to the arts: TJ Arts founder and teacher Karen Suszynski, TJ Theatre director Sandra Barker, architect Robert Beckjord, musician Eric DeFade, and TJHS band director and musician Ray DeFade.

Congratulations to all the honorees!

Each year, TJ Arts sponsors several annual scholarships for graduating high-school seniors living in West Jefferson Hills School District who study and excel in any facet of the arts.

This year, we are proud to offer up to $8,000 in scholarships!


Eligible students may study from a variety of artistic disciplines, including but not limited to performing arts, creative arts, visual arts, literary arts, media arts, and arts education. We have created a universal application for students to apply. All applications are due by April 17, 2023.
 


Visit our scholarship page to review the eligibility criteria and requirements for all applicants.

The winners of these scholarships are selected by an unbiased committee of teachers, independent artists, arts educators, and representatives of TJ Arts. TJ Arts reserves the right not to award a scholarship if the selection committee determines that no candidates provide sufficient materials.

TJ Arts is thrilled to announce that we are awarding nearly $7,000 to four deserving graduating seniors in the arts from Thomas Jefferson High School this year!

The following students were recognized at the TJHS Senior Awards Ceremony on May 25, 2022. We wish them well in their college studies!

Madeline Westwood‘s music training and skill made her an excellent candidate for the Matteo Music Scholarship and the Margie Liberati Memorial Scholarship for a total of $3,000 of support. The Matteo Music Scholarship is donated each year by Joseph Matteo in honor of his family, and the Margie Liberati Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Margie Liberati by her family. Madeline plans to study Music Education at Duquesne University. Congratulations, Madeline!

Sabrina Reed‘s dance training and theatre program leadership helped her rise to the top for our brand-new scholarship of $1,982, the Class of 1982 Scholarship, which was created by an anonymous donor. Sabrina plans to study Telecommunications and Media at Penn State University. Congratulations, Sabrina!

Holly Hannon‘s commitment to the theatre and music programs at TJHS made her shine in the running for the TJ Arts Board Scholarship, an award of $1,000. Holly plans to pursue a BFA in Theatre at Point Park University. Congratulations, Holly!

Madelyn Panaiia‘s love of the theatre and understanding of its deep impact on people helped her win the $1,000 Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship, which is given in memory of former TJHS teacher and director Kathy Cecotti. Madelyn plans to study Secondary English Education with a minor in Musical Theatre at Slippery Rock University. Congratulations, Madelyn!

TJ Arts is thrilled to announce that we are awarding $7,500 to four deserving graduating TJHS seniors in the arts this year!

Owen Zacharias has demonstrated an immense commitment to TJ Theatre, and his experience in technical theatre made him rise to the top of applicants for the Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship, TJ Arts Scholarship, and Founders’ Award. Owen plans to study Theatre Design/Production at Point Park University. Congratulations, Owen!
Logan Raymond‘s vocal talents made him an ideal candidate for the Matteo Music Scholarship and the Margie Liberati Memorial Music Scholarship. Logan plans to study Music Education at Duquesne University. Congratulations, Logan!

New this year, the Matteo Music Scholarship will be renewed for a second annual $1,000 award next year, pending Logan’s academic status.
Ashley Renk‘s visual artistry made her an outstanding candidate for the TJ Arts Scholarship. Ashley plans to study Graphic Design at the Pratt Institute. Congratulations, Ashley!
Nathan Mutale demonstrated his leadership in the theatre department and is recognized as a winner of the Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship. Nathan plans to attend Temple University to study Broadcast Journalism. Congratulations, Nathan!

This spring, TJ Arts plans to award up to $5,500 in awards and scholarships to graduating TJHS seniors studying the arts. All applications are due Monday, April 12, 2021.

The following opportunities are available:

  • Founders’ Award: This $500 award is conferred upon a most deserving graduating ITS (International Thespian Society) student who has been a leader in the performing arts at TJ.
  • Kathy Cecotti Memorial Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a theater student who best emulates the qualities that Kathy Cecotti fostered in her students.
  • Matteo Music ScholarshipThis $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who intends to pursue some aspect of music in college.
  • Margie Liberati Memorial Music ScholarshipThis $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who intends to pursue some aspect of music in college.
  • TJ Arts ScholarshipThis $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who intends to pursue the creative or performing arts in college. 

Have questions about an application? Join our virtual “office hours”!

Monday, March 15 @ 7:30pm
Wednesday, March 31 @ 7:30pm