Nerad is one of two Edgewood H.S. students surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Maryland high school senior Olivia Nerad, of Bel Air, Md., won an academic scholarship worth $156,970 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Thursday morning at Edgewood High School.

Nerad is the daughter of Julie Conger and Jack Nerad, and the stepdaughter of Joseph Conger. She attended the presentation with her family, classmates, faculty and staff from Edgewood High School, and representatives from the Thiel College Office of Admission.

Nerad plans to study environmental science at Thiel.

She is a member of the softball team and is involved in mock trial, speech and debate.

Her softball coach Isabella Bungo ’19 is a Thiel College graduate.

Nerad’s scholarship was one of two awarded Thursday at Edgewood High School. Her classmate Zoe Plauger was also awarded a scholarship on Thursday. These were the final two of the five available scholarships awarded in 2025. DuBois (Pa.) Area High School senior Maxwell Dombroski, Bishop McNamara (Md.) High School senior Aliyah Thompson and Commodore Perry (Pa.) High School senior Kennedy Cropp were awarded scholarships at events earlier this month. Students attended one of the College’s scholarship competitions in late 2024 where they were interviewed by faculty and staff members. Each year the College awards five full-tuition scholarships from a field of hundreds of eligible candidates.

“Winning a full-tuition scholarship is truly a life-altering event for these students,” Thiel College Director of Admission Sonya Lapikas said. “It opens the door to transformative educational opportunities, allowing them to focus on their studies and future without the burden of tuition costs. We are proud to support their aspirations and be a part of their journey to success.”

Related Links

• Academic Affairs
• Scholarships
• Admissions

Related Stories

• Plauger is one of two Edgewood H.S. students surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel
• DuBois Area High School student surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Thiel College surprises Maryland high school student with full tuition scholarship
• Commodore Perry High School student awarded full tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Coventry H.S. student awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel at surprise school event
• Serra Catholic student presented full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College at surprise school event
• Holy Name High School senior surprised with announcement of full ride to Thiel College
• Apollo-Ridge H.S. student awarded full-tuition to Thiel College during surprise event
• Greater Johnstown High School senior wins full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Lincoln Park Performing Arts School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Berkshire High School senior wins full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Norwin High School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Derry Area High School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College

Office of Admission

• Request information about Thiel College
• Schedule a visit
• Apply