LATROBE, PA – Caitlin Coletti, a Greensburg Central Catholic (GCC) Junior-Senior High School (Hempfield Township) graduate who will attend Saint Vincent College in the fall to study nursing, was recently recognized in Harrisburg as one of Pennsylvania’s 25 America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholars.
Coletti, the daughter of Anthony and Christine Coletti, was selected from more than 1,800 applicants representing all 67 counties. She received a $10,000 award through the America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program, which Saint Vincent College will match.
“I am extremely humbled and blessed to receive the America250PA Scholarship in addition to the nursing scholarship,” Coletti said. “Both are very meaningful to me because I have lived in Pennsylvania my entire life, so I am excited to be able to work as a nurse here one day. I am grateful for all the support I have received to help me achieve my goals.”
Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, PhD, president of Saint Vincent College, joined Coletti and Gov. Josh Shapiro during an April 30 luncheon at the Governor’s Residence to honor the 25 students.
“Saint Vincent College’s presence at this prestigious event reflects the quality of our programs and faculty,” said Taylor, who was one of two college presidents in attendance at the event. “We are honored to have been selected as a partner in America250PA and to have participated in this awards ceremony at the Governor’s Residence.”
The standout GCC alumna aspired at a young age for a career in medicine but initially thought she wanted to become a doctor. Coletti enrolled in an Anatomy and Physiology class in high school that ended up being her favorite class; she later scheduled a course called Medical Perspectives, which opened her eyes to a potential career in nursing and, eventually, serving as a nurse practitioner.
Coletti is no stranger to the Saint Vincent College campus, having participated in the Future Masters of Medicine program while in high school. She also competed with fellow GCC students during the College’s inaugural Data Derby in November 2025.
“That helped me see the opportunities that the College provides,” she said, adding that she was also attracted to Saint Vincent as a Catholic liberal arts college rooted in the Benedictine tradition. “I went to a Catholic school and I really loved it, so I’m hoping to get involved in Campus Ministry when I get to Saint Vincent.”
While at GCC, Coletti was a STEM Scholars Program participant. The specific educational track featured rigorous math and science courses, and a select number of extracurricular activities focused on STEM. As part of the initiative, Coletti designed and presented a portfolio showcasing her successful participation in the program prior to her high school graduation.
During her junior year, Coletti was selected to attend the Westinghouse Science Honors Institute lecture series due to her continued academic excellence in math and science. As a sophomore, she was chosen to attend Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science workshops that covered topics such as cryogenics and using genes for solving mysteries.
Coletti helped fellow students as a peer tutor while in high school and was a member of GCC’s Science National Honor Society chapter, serving as its treasurer. She was also a member of the Squire Roses, a youth sorority run by individual state councils within the Knights of Columbus.
She volunteers at her parish with Vacation Bible School, Youth Group and similar initiatives.
“Our democracy was born here in Pennsylvania, when the Founding Fathers came together in Philadelphia to declare independence and set ourselves on a path of self-determination,” Shapiro said during the luncheon. “The students we’re honoring today have demonstrated that they not only know that history—they’re thinking big about how that history can and should shape the future of this commonwealth and this country. I’m proud to celebrate each and every Semiquincentennial Scholar—students who are now heading to our world-class Pennsylvania colleges and universities to continue charting their path to success.”
The America250PA Semiquincentennial Scholarship Program is made possible through the generous support of InterDigital, Mericle Commercial Real Estate and the Luzerne Foundation, along with Pennsylvania’s colleges and universities whose matching commitments expand the program’s impact for students across the commonwealth.
