Thomas (“Tommy”) George Tercilla, a freshman in the Wharton School, died of a brain aneurysm on November 29 while at home in Florida for the Thanksgiving break. He was 19 years old.

Mr. Tercilla grew up in Miami and attended Christopher Columbus High School, where he was a member of the Mas Family Scholars Program, an accelerated program of studies for highly motivated students. He graduated in 2015. As a teenager, he volunteered at the University of Miami Mini Canes Summer Camp and His House Children’s Home. He attended Better Families for Tae Kwon Do and received a black belt in 2013. He entered the Wharton School in hopes of working on Wall Street. At Penn, he lived in Ware College House and was a member of the Wharton School’s Dollar cohort.

Mr. Tercilla is survived by his father, Orlando; his mother, Margarita; his sister, Victoria; and his grandmother, Lucia Garcia Barrera.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to benefit the Thomas George Tercilla Scholarship Fund at Christopher Columbus High School, c/o Brother Kevin Handibode, 3000 SW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33165. A scholarship fund has also been established in Mr. Tercilla’s name at Better Families for Tae Kwon Do, 6723 SW 81st Street, Miami, FL 33143,  Attn: Mary Beth.