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.
Eesha Nachnani ’28 is studying how AI responds to cardiology scenarios and how to improve software. She has been selected as a U.S. Agency for International Development Science Champion for her presentation at the Middle Tennessee Science and Engineering Fair.
Convocation on Tuesday, May 14, in Durnan Auditorium, recognized Distinguished Alumnus Seth Feman '97 and welcomed the Class of 2024 into the PDS/USN Alumni Association.
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.