FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Luminari Contact: Tom Berich
tom@luminari.org
412-877-1888
PITTSBURGH, PA, January 13, 2025—The Luminari Award competition is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. This merit-based scholarship competition is open to area students in grades 7 through 11. One deserving student will be selected as the Luminari Award Scholar and will receive a full scholarship valued at over $1,200 to participate in the prestigious 2025 I Want to be an Ambassador! camp. This dynamic camp will take place in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C. (June 10 – June 18).
The I Want to be an Ambassador! camp is a unique and immersive seven-day experience that focuses on the vital art and skills of diplomacy. Participants will engage in interactive and hands-on activities, field trips, dialogues with diplomats and business leaders, and simulations of international crises. These experiences will help students develop crucial life skills for successful interactions at school, at home, and in their communities, while also forming bonds with new friends. The camp includes a trip to Washington, D.C., the heart of diplomacy. Past camps have taken students to the State Department, foreign embassies, and various museums and monuments. Delicious ethnic food is always part of the experience, which we refer to as gastrodiplomacy.
Here’s what Julia, the 2024 Luminari Award Winner, had to say about her experience: “I was hesitant to apply at first, but the experience was truly transformative and inspirational… Throughout the camp, we learned not only about cultures around the world, but about cultural humility, public speaking, and peaceful compromise. It’s truly so much more than I could’ve ever imagined.”
All students may enter the award competition by submitting their applications and essays directly to us through an easy 1-2-3 process:
- Write a one-page essay describing your interest in diplomacy and how you will benefit from the I Want to be an Ambassador! camp in your daily life. [DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION]
- Sign the application and have your parent or legal guardian sign it as well.
- Return the completed essay and application to luminari@luminari.org or mail it to Luminari, P.O. Box 81603, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217 no later than February 15, 2025.
The winner will be announced in early March.
Good luck to all applicants! We look forward to reading your essays and welcoming our Luminari Award Scholar to our exciting camp in June!
For further information about the program or the awards competition, please e-mail luminari@luminari.org or visit this link on our webpage: I Want to be an Ambassador!
Contact Information:
Luminari Email: luminari@luminari.org | Address: P.O. Box 81603 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
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MISSION | Luminari is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit founded to foster activities that broaden minds, inspire innovations and promote community engagement
