Kenzie G. ’20 Receives Prestigious Jefferson Scholarship from UVA

Senior Kenzie G. recently accepted the prestigious Jefferson Scholarship from the University of Virginia. Considered the premier undergraduate scholarship at UVA, it is awarded solely on the basis of merit and provides full financial support for four years of study at the University.

“I am so grateful to Foxcroft for nominating me for the Jefferson Scholarship and for supporting me throughout the competition process,” remarked Kenzie. “It was a great honor to receive the Jefferson, and I am looking forward to my years at UVA.”
In addition to the Jefferson Scholarship, Kenzie received the Eminence Scholarship and The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships, full rides to The Ohio State University and the University of Toronto, respectively. Ultimately she decided on UVA over the other offers for the opportunities in Emergency Medicine in Charlottesville, as well as the network that the Jefferson Scholarship provides.

"The faculty and I are so proud of Kenzie's accomplishment," shared Head of School Cathy McGehee. "She is an outstanding scholar with a thirst for knowledge and a genuine interest in solving problems, and she is a role model of Foxcroft's values — respect, integrity, kindness, and service. She is a worthy recipient of the University of Virginia's highest merit scholarship, and I know she will continue to lead and serve the campus and Charlottesville community and leave a positive legacy there, just as she has at Foxcroft."

Nominated by their high schools, Jefferson candidates undergo a rigorous process. Nominees are evaluated and interviewed by UVA alumni and friends of the foundation, who ultimately select which ones will be invited to attend the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend, a four-day event that includes seminar discussions, an essay and mathematics examination, and a final round of interviews. Due to the current pandemic, the in-person Selection Weekend was canceled this year and many of the events were conducted online via Zoom.

“Kenzie’s habits of mind are exquisite,” glowed Director of College Counseling Barbara Conner. “She has taken our most rigorous classes and has done very well academically. Dedication to her community is a hallmark of Kenzie’s life. She was instrumental in leading the charge for the transformative changes to our student-run Honor Council and, in her early years at Foxcroft, was a point-person for the student committee which researched, designed, and implemented Foxcroft’s maker space, The Innovation Lab.” 

With aspirations to follow her passion for helping others in the greater community, Kenzie utilized Foxcroft’s Exceptional Proficiency program to help balance her academic and personal pursuits.

“Kenzie’s commitment to service is most notable beyond Foxcroft in her dedicating hundreds of hours to become the youngest certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” continued Conner. “As such, she balances her college-preparatory classes and leadership on campus with serving weekly shifts as an EMT. The Jefferson challenges us to find students who exemplify the ideals of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship, and I was thrilled that the Jefferson Foundation agreed that Kenzie is tops. I could not be more proud of her!”

Jefferson Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to participate in enrichment programs, including a two-week summer leadership development conference, team-building workshops, a travel studies program, and career networking opportunities. Typically, between 30-35 students are selected each year from an exceedingly well-qualified applicant pool of about 1600+ nominees.

We are so proud of Kenzie’s accomplishment and wish her all the best at UVA and beyond!
Back
This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience for visitors to our website.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.



An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.