GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College first-year chemistry and biochemistry double major Alannah Estvander ’29 earned first place in the 2025 college video category of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State Student Contest, a national competition that highlights student perspectives on religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
Estvander, a 2025 Willoughby South High School graduate from Willoughby, Ohio, created a video examing the importance of maintaining church-state separation and how advocacy efforts protect religious freedom for all. Her submission was selected as the top entry among college video participants nationwide.
Americans United’s annual student contest invites high school and undergraduate students across the United States to explore how religious and nonreligious groups advocate for the separation of church and state and why that principle remains essential in modern society.
As the first-place winner, Estvander received a $1,500 prize, and her video will be featured across Americans United’s digital platforms and showcased at the organization’s Summit for Religious Freedom to be held April 25-27, 2026 in Arlington, Va. and Washington, D.C.
Estvander is a member of the outdoor and indoor track and field teams, Chi Omega sorority, band and the Dietrich Honors Institute. She also participates in the photography, art, and creative writing clubs.
Through her award-winning project, Estvander joins a national cohort of more than 400 student leaders who contributed videos and other creative works for the ongoing conversations about religious liberty and constitutional rights.
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.