Serra Catholic student presented full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College at surprise school event

Posted January 12, 2024 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Serra Catholic High School senior Drew Hairston, of White Oak, Pa., won an academic scholarship worth $146,000 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Friday morning at the high school.

Hairston is one of five full tuition scholarship winners. He was chosen from a field of 767 eligible students and 177 applicants. Winners were chosen after participating in one of two scholarship competitions where students were interviewed by faculty and staff members. He plans to major in business management.

Hairston was joined by members of the school, faculty and staff and his family for the presentation. was a captain on the football team. He is also member of the track team, the spirit club, Future Business Leaders of America, French-Science National Honor Society. He is also an altar server, eucharist minister and a Steelers All-Peer Mentoring Team.

He was selected to join the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Peer Team, presented by the The Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, because he was one of 11 from the Pittsburgh-area region who goes above and beyond providing mentor-like support to their peers, both on and off the field.

“It is an honor to be selected as a Thiel scholarship winner. This award shows that hard work and dedication can truly have an amazing pay out,” Hairston said. “I know that I will put this scholarship to good use and expand upon my education.”

He is a son of Jennifer and Dexter Hairston of White Oak, Pa.