University of Virginia selected Margot Ross '24 to be a Jefferson Scholar. The highly selective scholarship includes the full cost of attending UVA for four years of study as well as numerous enrichment opportunities. It has been 16 years since a University School of Nashville senior last became a Jefferson Scholar.
By Aaron Fulk, Director of College Counseling
Among the many heralded merit scholarships at universities around the country, the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia is perhaps the most difficult scholarship to earn (along with the Morehead Cain Scholarship at the University of North Carolina).
Students must be nominated by a high school, and each high school can only nominate up to two candidates. Even being nominated is an honor, let alone winning one of these scholarships. Last year, the Jefferson Scholarship received 2,300 nominations and enrolled approximately 40 Jefferson Scholars.
The Jefferson Foundation honoring Margot Ross '24 with a full cost of attendance (tuition, room, and board) scholarship is an affirmation of her dedication to her passions and service to University School of Nashville, including serving as Co-Editor of The Peabody Press and a leader of the Mock Trial team headed to the national competition. Margot also authored a free Mock Trial textbook targeted at public schools as a free resource after she witnessed a disparity in resources among schools during previous Mock Trial competitions. Margot also writes extensively including a play.
Margot is USN's first Jefferson Scholar recipient since 2008.
The Quiz Bowl team traveled to Bowling Green, Kentucky, to face several top teams from across the country at this year's South Warren Tournament. USN's second-place finish earned the team an invitation to the National Academic Quiz Tournaments' National Championships in May.
In an inspiring new initiative, USN's health care career spotlight, organized by Ruchika Ramachandran ’27 and Yvonne Wang ’27, brought a wealth of alumni back to the school for an evening of shared expertise and personal stories. This first-of-its-kind event was a great example of the power of connection, mentorship, and community evident throughout the USN community.
Ahead of the All Bands Winter Concert, students got to play for Larry Clark, the composer who arranged the holiday medley that the band will perform at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 9 in Durnan Auditorium.
USN Mission: University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.