When Derry Area High School senior Cydney Wierzbowski was called down to the school guidance office early Tuesday morning, for a moment, she thought she might be in trouble.

“I was in math class, and I was pulled out to go to guidance for I did not know what,” Wierzbowski said. “Not that I would be (in trouble,) but I never get called down to the office, so I was really worried.”

The reality was quite the opposite. As soon as she entered the school library, she was congratulated by a group of teachers, administrators, family members, and faculty from Thiel College — the university she had just received a full-tuition scholarship to attend.

Wierzbowski was one out of around 130 students who applied for Thiel’s Academic Scholarship Competition in November, and one of five to receive a full ride this year. Her scholarship, totaling just under $140,000, will cover all four years of attending Thiel.

“This is awesome. This is an amazing opportunity,” Wierzbowski said. “It’s crazy to think that this is happening right now.”

“I am overjoyed. Cydney worked very, very hard for this. It’s going to make a big difference in her future,” said Wierzbowski’s mother, Carrie Namisnak. “I am so proud of her — she works so hard, she’s involved in so many things, and she tries her best at everything she does.”

A surprise award

Namisnak was told about the award last week, and worked with the school and Thiel officials to keep the scholarship results a secret from her daughter until Tuesday morning, even scheduling college visits at other universities to maintain the surprise.

To apply for the scholarship, Wierzbowski participated in panel interviews with Thiel professors during a session last year.

“The grade point average has to be 3.0 and above, and they have to be active in the community,” said Thiel admissions counselor Alice DeBonis. Students must already have been accepted to Thiel to apply.

“We talked about different things. I was placed with two other applicants that I didn’t really know, and we were placed in front of two professors,” Wierzbowski said. “I was so nervous. It was building up through the drive as we got there. I had never been through a panel interview before, only singular interviews, so I didn’t really know what to expect.”

Wierzbowski is a majorette in the Derry Area Marching Band, and first found out about Thiel College from one of her majorette coaches, who knew a coach at Thiel. She also participates in student government and track and field, and has volunteered at food banks and elementary schools in the area.

“Being that I come from a smaller town, I wanted to go to a smaller college,” she said. “I’m excited about making new friends and meeting new people.”

Wierzbowski is interested in the field of event planning, and is considering majoring in business at Thiel.

“I’ve never been part of such a surprise, and it was a great opportunity for Cydney, and some recognition as well for our district,” said school principal Kara Gardner. “I couldn’t think of a more deserving student.”

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