Author: Luminari Inc.

Ambassador Alum Makes Music Around the World

by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer We are always happy to catch up with alumni of our Luminari camps, to learn what they’ve been up to.  Meet Max Rosen, a singer-songwriter with a budding career.  He’s an alumnus of the 2017 …

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Meet our 2024 Luminari Award Scholars

Luminari, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization, proudly celebrates the winners of its 12th annual merit scholarship essay contest: the Luminari Award and the Luminari ESL Award. These prestigious accolades revolve around students’ perspectives on diplomacy. The Luminari Award contest is open to students in schools throughout …

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Welcome Heather Schirra, Camp Administrator

Luminari warmly welcomes Heather Schirra to our team! Heather, an experienced Special Education Teacher, brings years of experience from diverse special education settings. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Special and Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Assessment from Clarion …

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Friend or Foe? It’s Hard to Know!

by Dana Wineland O’Rouke, contributing writer Female rivalry happens when a woman uses her power to keep another woman down, mistreats her, or competes unfairly with her. Opposition, envy, and betrayal are ugly. I’m a fairly confident person who never …

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Luminari Award Essay Contest

Apply today for the 2024 Luminari Award Scholarship Contest Do you want to learn more about the world and how to make a positive difference in it? Do you enjoy writing and expressing your ideas? If you are a high …

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E-minor: the key to my heart

by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer E-minor is my favorite. Most people learning to play guitar will agree that Em is their favorite—probably because it’s two fingers on two strings close together. It’s easy to get to, it’s fairly common in …

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The Greatest Gift

by Dana Wineland O’Rouke, contributing writer Bayberry candles, cut-out cookies, and Christmas cards have been a tradition in our home since we married forty-five years ago. While I addressed as many Christmas cards this year as last, our mailbox, and …

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The Ocean – five years

A musical journey of loss, grief and hope By Brett McCutcheon A young local composer and a 2023 instructor for Luminari’s Music Makers! camp, Brett McCutcheon, unveiled his deeply moving project, “The Ocean – five years” on September 30, 2023. …

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Finding Sunshine in a Box

by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer While poking through my guest room closet looking for Thanksgiving decorations, I came across a small green wooden box. Its hinges were rusted and a scrape gouged a streak across the lid. Sitting there on …

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Apply to be a Luminari Scholar

If you are a high school student in the Pittsburgh area who is interested in diplomacy, cultural awareness, global a­ffairs, government relations or community service, we encourage you to apply for the Luminari Award today. Our merit-based award is open …

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