Vassar scholarship, dean's list and more news for South Hills alumni

Vassar scholarship

Baldwin High School senior Mariah Jones is a bright pupil with an interest in music and a dedicated athlete. Jones not only applies herself to learning in the classroom, but has sought out an opportunity to collaborate on a research project with Dr. Brett Andrews, Research Assistant Professor at The University of Pittsburgh. Yet, when the high school senior considered college, she saw financial obstacles.

Jones had been working with an advisor through CollegePoint, a free virtual advising program that helps students with the college application process. Jones’ advisor, Kaitlyn Singleton, suggested that she apply to QuestBridge, national nonprofit that “aims to increase the percentage of talented low-income students attending the nation’s best colleges and to support them to achieve success in their careers and communities,” according to its website.

The committee at QuestBridge selected Jones as a finalist. Jones was elated, but knew the competition to be matched to a college would be even more exacting. “After becoming a finalist, I ranked up to 12 schools that I had an interest in and afterward, they sent my QuestBridge application off to the schools,” Jones said. “The day had finally arrived to see if I had been matched to one of my dream schools and whenever I saw the red banner that read the word ‘Congratulations’ I knew that all of the work that I’d done throughout my entire educational career had finally paid off. I was so overcome with joy and gladness because I knew that someone, a stranger who I had never met, saw something special in me.”

The scholarship program transforms Jones’ educational outlook. “Before QuestBridge, I had no idea how I would afford college. Having raised three girls on her own, my mother struggles financially; I knew there was no way we could afford college, let alone one of my dream schools,” she said. “Because of my QuestBridge scholarship, I not only have been granted access to a leading institution but with all of the tools that I need to succeed in life.”

Her scholarship through QuestBridge will cover the entire cost of her college education, including tuition, room and board, books and more.

Jones plans to study physics and astronomy at Vassar. Her career ambition is to become an astrophysicist, possibly focusing on planets.

Dean’s list

The following students from the area were recognized for their academic achievement during the fall 2020 semester by being named to the dean’s, president’s or provost’s list at the college or university they attend:

• Costal Carolina University: Justin Covelli, Noah Pierce and Taylor Szuhoza of Jefferson Hills.

• Lock Haven University: Joey Lowen of Mt. Lebanon and Zachary Skrabski of South Park.

Mount Union MLK Day of Service

Adjusting to the safety protocols brought forth by the pandemic, the University of Mount Union still had an incredible 325 participants with its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, coordinated by the University’s Regula Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement.

Cullen Vereb of Jefferson Hills volunteered, creating take-and-make projects.

Roughly half of those who participated worked directly with community partners either on campus or at the partner location, while 65 worked on take-and-make projects to benefit area children and those living in assisted living facilities.

“The Regula Center strives to continue providing outlets for members of the campus community to make positive change,” said Abby Schroeder, director of the Regula Center. “MLK Day was a perfect example of the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students to the University’s mission and the community at large.”