The Saint Ignatius Scholar Program

At two special ceremonies Tuesday (October 11), first during Convocation in the Chapel of the Holy Cross and then afterward in Faber Hall, Jesuit High School recognized the students who are part of the school's prestigious Saint Ignatius Scholar Program, with the eight students who are Ignatius Scholars receiving special recognition.

All students who score in the top 2% nationally on the HSPT as 8th graders and then enroll at Jesuit are part of the Saint Ignatius Scholars Program. There are currently 77 Jesuit students, or about 1 in 11 from a total enrollment of 854, who are in the program. As school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. spoke Tuesday at Convocation, he asked them to stand and be recognized.

Among those 77 – who all received a $1,000 tuition award when they enrolled – are a total of 17 Ignatius Scholars (8) and Loyola Foundation Scholars (9), who were selected on the basis of character, faith, service, and need. The eight Ignatius Scholars receive an annual award of one-half tuition for all four years, while the Loyola Foundation Scholars receive one-quarter tuition for all four years.

The two seniors who are completing their fourth year as Ignatius Scholars, Ayden Lee and Matthew Griffith, both addressed the student body at Tuesday's Convocation. They spoke about the tremendous impact the scholarship has made in their lives.

The other Ignatius Scholars honored Tuesday are juniors James Slack and Tyler Tyson, sophomores Camden Haywood and Oscar Olivera, and freshmen Ben Burke and Jack Fults.

The Loyola Foundation Scholars at Jesuit in 2022-23 are: Kyle Boyes '23, Carmine Sebastiano '23, Jude Soriano '23, Ethan Hahn '24, Evan Rordam '24, Garrett Boyes '25, Jake Taylor '25, Austin Blewitt '26, and Noah Reese '26.

The Convocation had been scheduled for September 27 but was postponed due to Hurricane Ian. September 27 is a special date in Jesuit history, as on that date in 1540 the Jesuit Order was confirmed by Pope Paul III. Therefore, the event also marks the 482nd anniversary of the founding of the Society of Jesus, known as the "first confirmation of the Society," and every year on or close to September 27, Jesuit's Ignatius Scholars are honored. 

After Convocation, the eight Ignatius Scholars and their families attended a special breakfast reception in Faber Hall. There, the freshman scholars, Burke and Fults, each spoke about becoming an Ignatius Scholar. Father Hermes shared the history and legacy of the Jesuit Order and its profound impact, over nearly five centuries, on education across the globe. He then presented the seniors, Lee and Griffith with a special plaque depicting Saint Ignatius, in recognition of their four years as Ignatius Scholars.

In order to maintain their scholarship, the Ignatius Scholars must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 4.0, complete all required community service by the designated dates, remain free of serious disciplinary sanction (i.e., notice or probation), and participate in at least one non-athletic school club or activity. The program was founded in 2014, making this the sixth school year with every grade level represented.

For more information about the Saint Ignatius Scholar Program, contact Admissions Director Steve Matesich '91 at (813) 877-5344, ext. 715, or email admissions@jesuittampa.org.

Please see below a photo slideshow from Tuesday's Convocation and Faber Hall reception.