Luminari Award Competition 2018

Teen Ambassadors in Washington D.C.

Are you the one among your friends who likes to discuss world events? Are you the student who works to bridge the gap between those with differing opinions? Are you fascinated with how diplomats work to make the world a more peaceful place?

If so, then we have an opportunity for you!

We are launching the Luminari Award competition for the new school year.  The Luminari Award is a merit-based scholarship competition for area students who are in grades 7 through 11 during the 2017-2018 school academic school year. We will select one winner, who will be a Luminari Award Scholar and will receive a full scholarship valued at over $1,200 to participate in the prestigious 2018 I Want to be an Ambassador! camp to take place in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. from June 12-20, 2018.

The I Want to be an Ambassador! camp is a unique and dynamic seven-day camp focusing on the vital art and skills of diplomacy. Through interactive and hands-on activities, field trips, dialogues with diplomats and business leaders, and simulations of international crises, you will learn the life skills crucial for successful interactions at school, at home and in your community. Camp includes a trip to Washington, D.C.—the very heart of where diplomacy happens. Past camps have taken students to the State Department, to the European Union, to the embassies of Russia and Japan, and to museums and monuments. Delicious ethnic food is always part of the excitement.

This year brings a new approach to how we administer the award, making the process as easy as 1-2-3.

We’ve removed the requirement that teachers must select a nominee. Students now may enter the award on their own, submitting their applications and essays directly to us.

We are looking for a one-page, handwritten essay. For instructions, please visit our Luminari Award page. Download and print the Luminari Award APPLICATION FORM HERE.

The deadline for submissions has been extended to January 29, 2018, and the winner will be announced on February 25, 2018. However, we will welcome applications starting now.

Good luck! We look forward to reading your essays, and we look forward to welcoming our Luminari Award Scholar to our exciting camp in June!