A recent Jim Thorpe High School graduate will have most of his college expenses paid thanks to receiving a U.S. Army National Guard “Minuteman Scholarship.”

Seth Pychinka, who will be attending Millersville University, will have his tuition and room and board paid. He also will receive a book stipend.

He was surprised with the announcement of his scholarship during a brief program Wednesday at the high school.

The announcement was made by Staff Sgt. Dan Krivenko, local recruiter of the Pennsylvania National Guard unit in Lehighton.

Krivenko said Pychinka had already joined the National Guard and was not aware he was getting the scholarship.

“He scored very high on his testing to join the military,” said Krivenko. In addition, the recruiter said that he graduated from Jim Thorpe Area High School with an associate degree.

He originally enlisted in the National Guard for training in Black Hawk helicopter repair.

The college award basically means he is getting fast-tracked through the ROTC. He also will go into a different training camp than boot camp, making him eligible for officer status.

Jim Thorpe Area School District doesn’t have an ROTC program but Millersville does.

Present for the awarding of the scholarship were several family members as well as high school Principal Thomas Lesisko.