GREENVILLE, Pa.—Norwin High School senior Bret Vilage, of Irwin, Pa., won an academic scholarship worth $139,856 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation on Wednesday afternoon.
Vilage was one of five winners for 2023 from a field of 136 applicants. He joins Cydney Wierzbowski, a senior from Derry Area High School. The three remaining winners will be announced later this week. Vilage intends to major in chemistry and pre-pharmacy.
Vilage is in the National Honors Society, has been on the Norwin High School’s honor roll from ninth to 12th grade, is a member of the school’s French Club, and has been a four-year letterman for the varsity tennis team, where he is co-captain and a member of the United States Tennis Association. Vilage has also been active in the performing arts, as he is a tenor with the Norwin High School Chamber Singers and Norwin High School Choir and was the lead actor in the Norwin Theatre Company’s Sister Act, Seussical, Bring It On, and Puffs, and was a featured actor/dancer in The Little Mermaid. Outside of school, he participates in the Norwin Summer Tennis Camp as a head junior coach and volunteers at a number of nursing homes, schools, churches, and healthcare facilities, including the Westmoreland County Annual Youth Holiday Drive, Saint Agnes Church Vacation Bible School, Redstone Highlands Senior Living Communities. Vilage also works at Panera Bread.
He is the son of Melissa and Robert Vilage, brother of Bayleigh, and grandson of Ronald Labosco. He is also the grandson of the late Frank and Helen Vilage.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.