Isabelle Andrews, a senior at St. Catherine's School, was awarded one of the most highly selective merit scholarships in the nation. The Jefferson Scholars Foundation at the University of Virginia selected Isabelle as one of 34 recipients of the Jefferson Scholarship, and she is the only female student from a Richmond area school. She will commence her studies in the fall at U.Va.

     In order to be named a Scholar, Andrews underwent a rigorous, highly competitive, multi-stage selection process. This year, out of the approximately 1,800 students nominated for the Scholarship, 120 finalists were invited to take part in a five-day competition at U.Va., which included seminar discussions, essay and mathematics examinations, as well as interviews conducted by U.Va. alumni and faculty.

     The 34 selected recipients of the 2016 Jefferson Scholarship boast a number of significant achievements and Andrews is no exception. During her time at St. Catherine's School, Andrews was a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Distinction (scored a five on all five AP exams). She placed in the top 12 in the nation for the Poetry Out Loud competition and was invited to participate in the White House Student Film Festival. She received numerous awards including the National Spanish Exam Gold and Silver Medals, National Latin Exam Maxima Cum Laude and Dean's List designation for all four years. Andrews has performed in countless theatre productions and was co-head of the Theatre Improvisation Club. She's the founder of the "Study Break Station" video series and a singer and section leader in the School's all-girl a capella group. 

     Andrews will join a community of 138 current Jefferson Scholars this fall. In addition to receiving the full cost of attending the University for four years, Jefferson Scholars benefit from a number of enrichment programs sponsored by the Foundation, including travel abroad, career networking activities, an outdoor challenge program and a leadership speaker series.