Anthony Skaff

How do you combine an interest in neuroscience with studying economics, and what if, on top of that, you want your coursework to leave the door open for a possible medical school application down the road? These questions are on Anthony Skaff’s mind during his Freshman year at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Anthony, ’10, is contemplating declaring a double major and has had some college requirements waived because he is a member of the honors Echols Scholars Program at UVA, which the College of Arts and Sciences describes as being designed for its most avid scholars.

Some at Green Hedges might remember Anthony for accompanying the GHS Chorus on piano, for playing tuba in the band, or for his piano performances with the Annandale Jazz Ambassadors. For his part, Anthony remembers special interactions with teachers and peers. He credits some of his passion for history and English, and some of his interest in science, to experiences with his teachers here, and he remembers Mr. Marzolino, Spanish and Latin teacher, with special fondness. As for the other graduates of Green Hedges, Anthony says, “I am still close with many of my Green Hedges friends, including Ian Farrow, Thomas Briggs, and Cameron Santoro, as well as Gates Young (’10), who also attends UVA. Although many of my friends go to school in different states now, we stay in touch and get together during breaks. Being in the small community of the school and spending so much time in each other’s company cemented our friendships.”

After Green Hedges, Anthony attended South Lakes High School for one year before transferring to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. While at South Lakes, he won first place in a science fair, then at the regional science fair received an award from NASA and the Optical Society of America. HIs research project was about remediation of hydraulic fracturing water. and took place in the Chemical Analysis and Nanochemistry Research Lab. “I have always invested a lot of energy and hard work into science,” he says, adding, “When you put so much energy into something, it’s hard not to like it!”