Category Archives: Uncategorized

Congratulations to the 2023 scholarship winners!

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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.

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 deadline extended!

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To allow students a little extra time to submit their scholarship applications, we have extended the deadline for all submissions to Monday, April 19, 2021. After that time, we will no longer accept applications.

If a student has trouble submitting any part of the application, they should email contactus@tj-arts.org.

All applications can be found here. Good luck to those who apply!

“The Vision” is unveiled at the new Thomas Jefferson High School

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New artwork installed at high school

TJ Arts is proud to have commissioned “The Vision,” an original piece of art by Dennis Stocke that now hangs in the new Thomas Jefferson High School. The piece was unveiled at the grand opening of the new school on August 18, 2019.

With this commission, TJ Arts wanted to provide a gift to the new school:

  • that would stand as a physical legacy to represent the importance of arts in every child’s education;
  • that would provide an inspirational greeting in the central atrium of the new school; and
  • that would make the namesake of the school relevant to young people.

We are especially grateful to the following two TJ Arts groups most involved in this project.

9 current Board of Directors:

  • Founding members – Katie Conaway, Julia Malecki, Karen Suszynski, & Dawn Walters
  • Other members – Carolyn Bourgeois, Jason Brinker, Rebecca Brinker, Craig Conaway, & Jay Suszynski

9 Art Committee members:

  • Core members – Carolyn Bourgeois, Mary Culbertson-Stark, Jane Ogren, & Karen Suszynski
  • Other members – Michael Ghilani, Ed. D., Kirk Salopek, Ryan Snodgrass, John Thatcher, & Dawn Walters

We hope that the students, faculty, and residents of West Jefferson Hills School District enjoy this gift for years to come!

Come to the Grand Opening of Thomas Jefferson High School!

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TJ Arts is proud to be part of the Grand Opening Ceremony of the new Thomas Jefferson High School on Sunday, August 18, 2019. The public is invited to an open house from 3-8 pm that will showcase the new school, including the original mural by local artist Dennis Stocke that TJ Arts commissioned for the new school. We hope to see you there!

WHAT: Open House of new Thomas Jefferson High School
WHEN: Sunday, August 18, 2019, 3-8pm
WHERE: 830 Old Clairton Rd, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025

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.