Adeline Thorn, an incoming student at Bluffton University, has been awarded the university’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, valued at more than $144,000 over four years.

Thorn, of Smithville, Ohio, is the daughter of Scott and Melissa Thorn and will graduate from Smithville High School this year. She has been active in soccer, track, National Honor Society, Foreign Language Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Thorn also volunteers with the children’s ministry at Grace Church in Wooster. She plans to study business administration and writing.

The Presidential Scholarship competition brings numerous high-achieving high school seniors to campus each year to write an essay in response to a faculty lecture and previously assigned readings. Invited students had either a 3.75 grade point average or at least a 3.5 grade point average and a composite score of at least 24 on the ACT or 1160 on the SAT. 

All students who participated in the competition and choose to attend Bluffton in fall 2024 will receive a $1,000 annual scholarship.