Luminari Award
The Luminari Award is our annual scholarship competition that takes place between October and January. Please contact lumininari@luminari.org for more information.
Celebrating our 2025 Luminari Award Winners: Mira Frawley and Mariana Ramirez
Luminari is delighted to introduce the winners of the 2025 Luminari Awards, a prestigious essay competition that is a cornerstone of our “I Want to be an Ambassador!” summer camp experience. Open to Pittsburgh-area students in grades 7 to 11, the competition inspires young minds to reflect on the meaning of diplomacy. This year, two extraordinary young women, Mira Frawley and Mariana Ramirez, have earned this honor.
Mira, a first-year student at Winchester Thurston Upper School, wrote about diplomacy’s role in fostering connection and collaboration. With experience in Model UN and a passion for public speaking, she aims to use these skills to inspire positive change.
Mariana, a third-year student at Fox Chapel High School and Colombian immigrant, shared her journey of overcoming stereotypes and embracing cultural differences. She aspires to lead with compassion and pursue a career in nursing.
These outstanding young women, along with 18 of their peers, will participate in the “I Want to be an Ambassador!” program from June 10-18 in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. They will engage with diplomats, visit embassies, and address real-world challenges—equipping them with tools to foster respect and collaboration.
2025 Luminari Award Merit Scholars
Mariana Ramirez (ESL), Fox Chapel High School
Mira Frawley, Winchester Thurston Upper School
2024 Luminari Award Merit Scholars
Sofiia Lutsiv (ESL), Carlynton School District
Julia Antunes, Mt. Lebanon School District
2023 Luminari Award Merit Scholars
Nolvin Buezo Gutierrez (ESL), Avonworth School District
Arshia Zaidi, North Allegheny School District
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
