News

Up to $8,000 in scholarships available to TJHS seniors in 2023

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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.

2022 student scholarship winners announced

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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!

Scholarship winners announced

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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!

Scholarship applications now available

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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 Scholarship: This $2,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who intends to pursue some aspect of music in college.
  • Margie Liberati Memorial Music Scholarship: This $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to a senior who intends to pursue some aspect of music in college.
  • TJ Arts Scholarship: This $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

Support TJ Arts to the MEX!

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Join TJ Arts for food, fun and fundraising at Mad Mex Shadyside!

Tuesday, February 26, 2019
7:00 pm
Mad Mex Shadyside (220 S. Highland Ave.)

Tickets are $40 each and include full Mexican Fajita Buffet Dinner, unlimited chips, salsa and guacamole, wings, soft drinks, dessert and one Dos Equis draft beer or house margarita, plus gratuity.

To purchase, click here or call 412-655-0747 by February 21!

All proceeds benefit WJHSD arts enrichment programs.

Tickets now on sale for 3rd annual ROCK THE ARTS!

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TJ Arts’ benefit rock concert returns for a third year with Rock the Arts: Live at The Crafthouse! Hosted at The Crafthouse Stage & Grill, we are delighted to welcome back hometown country duo Steel Blossoms, now based in Nashville, who include 2010 Thomas Jefferson High School alumna Hayley Prosser and 2007 Frazier High School alumna Sara Zebley. Joining them is The Todd Jones Band, a country group led by Elrama native Todd Jones.

A limited number of tickets are available, so reserve yours today! Click here to purchase tickets. Adults are $20, children 12 and under are $10. Doors open at 5:00 pm, music begins at 6:30 pm, and complimentary valet parking is provided that night for all guests. Seating at The Crafthouse is first-come first-served, so come early to get a great seat and place your food and drink order, which may be purchased separately. Your ticket includes admission to the concert, and all ticket proceeds benefit arts enrichment in West Jefferson Hills.

Announcing Dennis Stocke as artist selected to complete a commissioned art piece for new TJHS

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TJ Arts proudly announces the winning artist for a large-scale artwork commissioned for the rebuilt Thomas Jefferson High School. After a one-year search, on March 31, 2018, Dennis Stocke was selected from a field of 27 applicants. Mr. Stocke is an art teacher for the Upper Saint Clair School District and a graduate of California University of Pennsylvania.

Mr. Stocke began his teaching career at Thomas Jefferson High School as a student teacher. He says, “I would find great personal reward in being able to leave my artistic mark in the district.”

The subject of the artwork is the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, the namesake of the school. The mural-sized artwork will greet students, teachers, staff, residents and visitors as they enter the main atrium of the school; as such, it will be the artistic signature of the new building. The finished product will span the bulkhead of the atrium, measuring approximately 42 feet wide by 6 feet high.

The artwork will be unveiled at the Grand Opening of the new school in the coming year. Superintendent Dr. Michael Ghilani says the selection process was “extremely competitive. We are so excited for the students, teachers, and community to see the piece that was chosen that will be the centerpiece of the building for many years to come.”

The selection committee was comprised of TJ Arts Board Members, WJHSD administrators and staff, professional artists, and community residents. Executive Director of TJ Arts, Karen Suszynski, says, “TJ Arts is pleased to make this gift to the new school as a statement of the importance of arts in the education of every child. The final choice will make an appropriate visionary and dramatic statement for Thomas Jefferson High School.” This commission is completely supported through donations made to TJ Arts by individuals and institutions.