Trinity High School seniors are preparing their lives for college. Many have already chosen where they’re going to spend the next four years; some Trinity students chose Washington and Jefferson College (W&J) such as Seniors Maggie Francis, Sylvia Stoy and Dylan Falvo.
Those who chose to attend W&J most likely considered the Anica Donnan Rawnsley Scholarship opportunity that students living in Washington County could apply for.
According to the Washington and Jefferson College website, the scholarship is for “first-year students enrolling in the fall of 2025” and will cover the cost of tuition after accounting for “federal and state grants, and all W&J merit scholarships and gift aid.”
This is a unique opportunity that could save students from years of student debt.
Falvo says, “Definitely go for it. At the end of the day, if you have a 3.0 GPA it’s always a great decision for the tuition. I would say explore other options, but definitely keep W&J in the back of your head.”
W&J provides a wide variety of programs and classes.
Francis is majoring in Economics because “I took AP Economics last year and I really enjoyed it.”
Stoy plans on majoring in Accounting and minoring in Computing and Information Studies.
Stoy explains that “the combination of these fields really excites me because it opens up a lot of career opportunities. Also, I think having a strong foundation in both areas will be really beneficial in my future.”
Falvo decided he will major in Business Administration and will minor in Marketing.
Even though some people may be hesitant to stay close to home when going to college, it also comes with its benefits. It can be helpful to be close to home because it provides somewhat of a safety net to fall back on. Also, going to college in the town a student grew up in can make for an easier transition.
Francis says staying close when going to college makes it so “the town’s familiar and you’re not completely out of water.”
Falvo believes, “Obviously every kid wants to go out there and have a college experience and move far away and be on their own, but I’m kind of a little different. I want to be close to home, I want to have family support if I need it. I want to also be able to participate in my younger brother’s life.”
People who got the chance to tour W&J’s campus described their experience as welcoming. Tour guides were very friendly and provided students with meaningful conversations and encouragement. The campus has a variety of historical buildings and greenery, which provides a peaceful environment when traveling from different classes or looking for a place to study. There is a benefit with going to a smaller school, too.
Stoy explains, “the small class sizes mean you get more personalized attention from professors. If you’re looking for a supportive environment where you can grow and thrive, it’s definitely worth considering. The community seems tight-knit, and everyone I met was friendly and eager to help with whatever was needed. It definitely feels like a place where you can grow and make lasting connections.”
Francis looks forward to college, saying, “I am really excited about being able to learn what I want to learn and to meet new people.”
Francis, Stoy and Falvo all look forward to their time at W&J and all recognize the different benefits they are being provided by doing so.
