GREENVILLE, Pa.—Pennsylvania high school senior Kennedy Cropp, of Clarks Mills, Pa., won an academic scholarship worth $156,970 to Thiel College during a surprise presentation Wednesday morning at Commodore Perry High School.
Cropp is the daughter of Gary and Traci Cropp and has three older brothers, Kody, Keane, and Karson. The presentation was attended by her family, classmates, faculty and staff from Commodore Perry High School, and representatives from the Thiel College Office of Admission.
During her high school career, Cropp earned varsity letters in cheerleading for football, basketball, wrestling, and competitive dance, as well as in cross country, track, and volleyball. She is also active in choir, show choir, band, pep band, drama club, National Honor Society, FOR Club, student council, Envirothon, and the prom committee.
Cropp is undecided on a major.
Her community involvement includes organizing fundraisers for families at Children’s Hospital, creating and coordinating a 5K race to fund surgery for the school’s therapy dog, and volunteering at the Sheakleyville Homecoming. She has also made and distributed remembrance ribbons for Veterans Day programs, collected candy for Treats for Troops, and helped assemble Christmas care packages for deployed soldiers.
Cropp’s scholarship ceremony was one of two events held Wednesday. Bishop McNamara (Md.) High School senior Aliyah Thompson was also awarded a scholarship. 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.”
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.