First Merit Scholarship Program in US Recognizes SA Student and Teacher

Dr. Kinser received a certificate recognizing him as an Impact Educator and a letter from the president of the Morehead-Cain Foundation, Mr. Chris Bradford, citing the foundation’s wish to “celebrate outstanding K-12 educators around the world. By shaping promising young leaders like Jayne, you do work from which we all benefit.” The letter went on to state, “Our scholars are driven, courageous, and inquisitive–and we recognize that their leadership as students is a result of the impact that individuals like you have had throughout their lives.” 

Jayne, who plans to study neuroscience in college, noted that Dr. Kinser’s World Health course has been her favorite at the academy. She also shared the significance of being the only junior in last year’s AP Biology class with Dr. Kinser. “When all of the seniors were gone during the last month of the school year, I was able to spend a lot of one-on-one time with him doing experiments that were especially interesting to me.”

In being identified as a semifinalist for the Morehead-Cain Program, the Foundation is recognizing Jayne as an “extraordinary young leader of exceptional character.” A Morehead-Cain Scholar earns a four year scholarship to the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill including tuition, books, room and board, and four summers of travel and experiential learning. 

Jayne is the current student body president at Sewickley Academy where she participates in soccer and track and field as well as theater and jazz ensemble. She is working toward graduating with SA’s Global Studies Certificate in addition to her diploma. Her experiences in the certificate program have included a semester in Switzerland her sophomore year and a 10-day study abroad program to Poland last summer where she was involved in a deep-dive study of the history of the Holocaust. This spring she will participate, along with Dr. Kinser and several classmates, in a service trip to Belize through the Global Public Service Academy. She is a National Merit Semifinalist and serves as a biology teacher with Outreach360. Her commitment to the community has also included an internship with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society during which she organized and fundraised for the 2022 MS Walk. A talented singer, Jayne participated in the Pittsburgh Choral Ensemble during the Pittsburgh Concert Youth Orchestra’s Tour of Spain last summer and is a member of Pittsburgh’s Junior Mendelssohn Choir.  

Congratulations to both Jayne Miner and Dr. Ron Kinser on this recognition of their achievements from the Morehead-Cain Foundation.