June 4, 2019 -- 12.1 million dollars. That’s how much money Heights High seniors secured in college scholarships this year.
Those students were honored at the Senior Recognition Awards Program on Wednesday, May 22. Prior to the program, seniors and their families enjoyed a reception with live music from The Assaxins, made up of four senior saxophone players.
More than three dozen students were recognized for everything from academic achievement to excellence in the arts, athletics, and community service. Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Williams began the evening with Scholastic Recognition. Five students were named Advanced Placement Scholars for earning a score of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams, four students were named Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction for earning a score of 3 or higher on every AP exam they took, and Georgina (Georgie) Jolivette was named the school’s Phi Beta Kappa winner. Georgie was chosen by her teachers for the honor, which recognizes a student in the top 10% of their class who “demonstrates qualities of academic honesty, inquiry into scholarship matters which go beyond assignments and requirements, a creative involvement in scholarship, and great interest in things of the mind.” Georgie, who was the Class of 2019’s valedictorian, will attend George Washington University in the fall.
Seventeen students also received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence. Following that portion of the evening was the Community Awards and Scholarships, which are financial gifts that have been established by alumni, the families of deceased students, corporations and non-profit organizations and which recognize everything from academic excellence to achievement in athletics, the arts, and community service. Students are invited to submit a general scholarship application and to apply for specific scholarships depending on the criteria.
A highlight of the evening came when Jack Johnson was named the recipient of the Jon Lewis Award, a $10,000 scholarship “to enable study or development of any talent or ability” the student may possess. Jack will attend the University of Pittsburgh in the fall. More than 60 seniors were awarded community scholarships of varying amounts, and another 19 won $1,000 scholarships distributed through the Heights Schools Foundation.
Students were also recognized for the scholarship offers they received from the various colleges and universities to which they were accepted. Jacqueline Blockson, Guidance Technician in the College/Scholarship Zone for the high school, was instrumental in both helping her students access so many scholarship dollars and in putting together the evening that celebrated their accomplishments.
