
The
Jefferson
Scholars
Foundation
at
the
University
of
Virginia
has
awarded
Syrell
Grier,
a
senior
at
Gar-Field
High
School,
with
the
Jefferson
Scholarship,
one
of
the
most
highly
selective
merit
scholarships
in
the
nation.
The
Jefferson
Scholars
program
is
no
ordinary
scholarship,
in
fact,
no
students
may
apply
for
the
scholarship.
To
say
that
the
selection
process
is
rigorous
is
an
understatement.
Eligible
schools
are
asked
to
nominate
the
student
in
the
senior
class
who
best
exemplifies
excellence
in
the
areas
of
leadership,
scholarship,
and
citizenship.
Each
year,
nominations
pour
in
from
across
the
world.
In
2019,
over
2,000
students
from
41
states
and
42
countries
were
nominated.
Once
nominated,
students
are
placed
into
regional
competitions
and
may
be
invited
to
participate
in
one
or
more
rounds
of
interviews.
Syrell
was
one
of
125
finalists
selected,
from
the
more
than
2,000
nominations,
to
take
part
in
interviews
and
seminar
discussions
conducted
by
the
University
of
Virginia
alumni
and
faculty.
Based
on
his
performance,
myriad
of
credentials,
and
outstanding
efforts
in
school,
he
was
chosen
as
one
of
the
38
recipients
of
the
2021
Jefferson
Scholarship.
Carrying
an
impressive
4.66
grade
point
average,
Syrell
is
scheduled
to
obtain
an
International
Baccalaureate
Diploma
from
Gar-Field
High
this
spring.
Not
only
is
his
course
load
remarkable
but
he
is
also
an
active
member
of
the
National
Honor
Society,
the
Green
Club,
serves
as
a
Prince
William
County
School
Board
student
senator,
boasts
countless
service
hours
and
research
projects,
and
has
been
a
member
of
the
Gar-Field
boys'
basketball
and
track
teams.
Brian
Bassett,
administrative
coordinator
at
Gar-Field,
shared,
"What
distinguishes
Syrell
from
his
peers
is
his
kind
and
well-mannered
demeanor
and
his
positive
attitude
toward
life,
while
demonstrating
the
confidence
and
self-awareness
to
walk
to
the
beat
of
his
own
drum.
Syrell
Greer
is
going
to
do
big
things
in
life.
He
is
a
bright
mind,
who
is
a
different
kind
of
thinker
that
will
add
tremendously
to
the
University
of
Virginia
community."
The
Jefferson
Scholarship
will
not
only
cover
the
full
cost
of
attending
the
university
for
four
years,
but
it
also
offers
a
comprehensive
set
of
enrichment
experiences.
The
Foundation
gives
scholars
the
opportunity
to
network
and
build
relationships,
attend
the
Institute
for
Leadership
and
Citizenship,
travel
abroad,
participate
in
a
career
development
program,
establish
alumni
connections,
hear
from
a
host
of
leadership
speakers,
and
much
more.