ABINGTON, Pa. — The first year of a new college-high school partnership resulted in Penn State Abington awarding $30,000 in scholarships to six graduates of its hometown high school, Abington Senior High, at a ceremony at Penn State Abington this week.

This competitive program will award $30,000 annually to two new graduates of Abington Senior High who plan to attend Penn State Abington, and four alumni of Abington Senior High who are current Penn State Abington students. In this first year of the partnership, each student received $5,000. The scholarships are renewable, based on academic performance, each year they are enrolled at Penn State Abington. 

“Penn State Abington is pleased to support these worthy Abington Senior High School graduates as they pursue their bachelor’s degrees at a world-class institution,” said Damian J. Fernandez, chancellor, Penn State Abington. “The college values its relationship with the Abington School District and continues to provide its students with an affordable, accessible and high-impact education.”  

The recipients of the inaugural scholarships are Ariel Bondarenko, Isabella Mager, Amanda Pickett, Semaije Herbert-Savage, Brandon Schaffer and Tiara Thornhill.  

Jeffrey S. Fecher, superintendent of the Abington School District, praised the partnership.

“This scholarship opportunity for our Penn State Abington-bound graduates of Abington Senior High School will be a tremendous asset to our Abington School District students and alumni, allowing them the financial support to continue their studies locally," Fecher said.

"Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge together are one strong community with a great sense of pride, and this partnership between Abington School District and Penn State Abington is just further proof of that strength. We recognize the value in a positive community relationship with Penn State Abington for our students’ futures.” 

Scholarship recipient Amanda Pickett is a first-generation college student who plans a career as a lawyer.

“This scholarship is one of the many examples in which Penn State Abington and the Abington School District seek to support their students in their academic success. This scholarship means a world of difference to me and my family and will give me the chance to focus on my academics and career-building opportunities in preparation for graduate school,” Pickett said.

About Penn State Abington 
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With nearly 4,000 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 19 majors, undergraduate research, the Schreyer honors program, NCAA Division III athletics and more.