Luminari Award

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2023

Each fall brings the exciting Luminari Award competition to middle and high schools in the Pittsburgh area. This year marks the 11th annual Luminari Award, a merit-based scholarship competition for students who are in grades 7 to 11 during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Two winners will be selected from the essay submissions. Each winner will receive a merit-based scholarship for an all-expense-paid admission to Luminari’s I Want to be an Ambassador! Camp in summer 2023. The scholarship has a value of $1,200.

One award winner will be selected from nominees who complete the Luminari Award Student Application and mail it in by February 1, 2023! The second winner will be a student enrolled in his or her school’s ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Winners will be announced in February 2023.

2023 Applicants

To apply, please follow these three steps:

  • Write a one-page essay describing your interest in diplomacy and ways in which you will benefit from attending the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp.
  • Sign your entry essay and have your parent or legal guardian sign it as well.
  • Mail or email your essay to us at Luminari, PO Box 81603, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 or patrice@luminari.org no later than FEBRUARY 1, 2023.

Call 412-877-1888 to learn more about our 2022 summer camps or to register. Early-registration discounts are available until May 1, 2023.

2022 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Mitantsiky Rakotozafy (ESL), Mt. Lebanon School District
Benjamin Quint, North Allegheny School District

2020/21 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Vanya Fuller (ESL), Bethel Park School District
Anna Oestreich, Norwin School District

2019 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Hend Hamada (ESL), Fox Chapel Area School District
Cara Leonardi, Moon Area School District

2018 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Fakhar Almlook Munaf Mohammed (ESL), Carlynton School District
Owen Chaffin, Home School student, Bethel Park School District

2017 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Jesus Chacin (ESL), Avonworth School District
Kailee Monaghan, Canon-McMillan School District

2016 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Hao Nguyen (ESL), Sto-Rox School District
Emily Smith, Propel Schools

 2015 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Vladyslav Makarenko (ESL), Mt. Lebanon School District
Rohit Nandakumar, Fox Chapel Area School District

2014 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Jacob Clark, West Jefferson Hills School District
Zyaire Fisher, Propel Schools
Kaylee Gross, Chartiers Valley School District
David Han, Fox Chapel Area School District
Sydney Reyes, Riverview School District

2013 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Sophie Belch, Riverview School District
Nathan Bindseil, Central Catholic, Diocese of Pittsburgh
Abigail Eberts, Moon Area School District
Shannon Kim, Fox Chapel Area School District
Troy Miles, Propel Schools

2012 Luminari Award Merit Scholars

Rohan Chalasani, Fox Chapel Area School District
Nicolas May, Chartiers Valley School District
Malaysia Meador, Propel Schools
Brandon Quinn, Central Catholic, Diocese of Pittsburgh