Last Monday, Brenna O'Leary of Peters never envisioned her day would include some time spent holding a check made out to her for $107,392.

But that is exactly what happened as representatives from Seton Hill University surprised her at her school March 8 with a full four-year scholarship.

Brenna is a senior at Peters Township High School and will study sports management at the university in Greensburg.

Chris O'Leary said her daughter Brenna never thought she had a shot at such an award.

"She was initially in disbelief," she said. "The reality is still sinking in."

Brenna said she was flabbergasted because the scholarship is such a 'big thing.'

"I was really happy and excited to find out I got the scholarship because it's a huge relief knowing that my family won't have to pay all that money and I won't have college debts to pay off when I graduate," she said. "I feel really fortunate and lucky."

Mrs. O'Leary said her daughter has always been an excellent student, and the entire family is extremely proud of her. She said Brenna has managed to excel academically while playing soccer for both the high school and Century United and holding a part-time job.

"Seton Hill University has rewarded her achievements in a profound way," she said. "It's given her an incredible opportunity for future success absent of a large financial burden."

Natalie Spanner, a senior at Bethel Park High School, also won a similar scholarship.

She is the daughter of Marty and Paula Spanner and plans to major in theater business and theater performance.

"My counselor found me on my way to study hall and asked if I wanted to look at a scholarship she found online," Natalie said. "When I turned the corner and saw Ashley Josay [from Seton Hill] flip up a giant cardboard check ... it took a minute to register. Then I suppose I screamed a little and gave everyone about a dozen hugs each."

Natalie said the moment was surreal.

"It feels great to have something to show for what I've accomplished in high school, but it's also very humbling and a blessing," she said.

Her father said he and his wife could not be more proud.

"The news of her scholarship is truly a blessing for us," he said. "We have already helped her two older brothers, Marty and Ben to graduate from West Virginia University and Miami of Ohio, respectively. This full tuition scholarship will lighten the financial load considerably, as we will still have to plan for our fourth child, Daniel, to someday also pursue his dreams in college."

Kary Coleman, university director of media relations, said the scholarship is awarded through the university's division of social sciences' Seton Scholars Program.

She said the program was created in 2007 to recognize outstanding academic achievement by incoming freshman in the traditional undergraduate program. The scholars receive full tuition scholarships that are renewable for four years and are valued at more than $100,000.

Scholarships are awarded annually by each of the university's academic divisions including humanities, visual and performing arts, natural and health sciences and social sciences. For the 2010-2011 academic year, Seton Hill will award eight full-tuition scholarships, two from each academic division, she said.

Ms. Coleman said selection criteria for the program includes scoring 1300 or higher on the SAT, having a high school grade point average of 3.7 or higher, completing honors or advanced placement coursework pertinent to the major, demonstrating leadership or community service, providing a letter of recommendation and an essay written by the student describing her or his decision to major in the chosen field.

Majors in this division include accounting, business, criminal justice, family and consumer sciences, hospitality and tourism, psychology, social work and sociology.

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