Jessica Urquiola 2008
“Jessica Urquiola represents the very finest of our students. She is a scholar in very tough classes, a community volunteer with an impressive portfolio of activities, and a leader and instigator of programs for school and community improvement . . . I am in constant awe to see this girl in action.” These words from a high school teacher remain true as Jessica continues to focus her extraordinary talent and energy to help others.
Jessica’s parents did not have the opportunity to finish college, but they instilled in their daughters a respect for learning and civic engagement. Jessica attended Patrick Henry Elementary and Francis C. Hammond Middle School. In ninth grade, she volunteered to tutor in the English as a Second Language program at her church. At T.C. Williams she volunteered for Alexandria Earth Day, Christmas in April, the Scholarship Fund’s annual telethon, and other activities. She was president of Z-Club, a member of Project Discovery, the Latin American Student Society, and the Spanish Honor Society.
With an award from the Scholarship Fund, Jessica enrolled at George Mason University and later transferred to the University of Virginia where she earned a B.A. in psychology with minors in drama and media studies. While in college, Jessica was in the psychology honors program and conducted research with prison inmates. She wrote film reviews for the student newspaper and developed a passion for the art of film. Eventually, she went behind the lens, produced and directed several award-winning films, and had her work screened at the Virginia Film Festival.
After receiving her degree, she returned to Alexandria to do freelance work in film, producing fundraising videos and documentaries. She later joined the staff of Project Discovery. In 2009, Jessica completed a master’s program for producing film and video at American University. She works in fundraising for nonprofits at Market Development Group in Washington, D.C. and makes videos for nonprofits with Soft-Spoken Productions.
T.C. Williams Class of 2001
B.A., Psychology, University of Virginia, 2005
M.A., Producing Film and Video, American University, 2009
