Landmarks Scholarship Winners Announced

PHLF Trustee David Brashear, Chair of the Landmarks Scholarship Committee, announced the winners of the 2013 Landmarks Scholarship on May 31. “We selected four winners out of the 58 applications submitted,” said David, “and look forward to meeting these high-school graduates and their parents during a luncheon on June 27.” The winners are:

• Christopher Besser (Upper St. Clair High School), who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania (Computer Science)
• Cody Piper (North Allegheny Senior High School), who will be attending Carnegie Mellon University (Computer Science)
• Jacalynn Sharp (Pittsburgh Science and Technology Academy), who will be attending the University of Pittsburgh (Mechanical Engineering), and
• Anna Vitti (Barack Obama Academy of International Studies), who will be attending the University of Pennsylvania.

Applicants are asked to write an essay about a place in Pittsburgh that is meaningful to them. Based on Christopher’s essay about the D. T. Watson Institute, Cody’s essay about Carnegie Mellon University, Jacalynn’s essay about Heinz Memorial Chapel, and Anna’s essay about Highland Park, we know that they understand how essential historic landmarks and historic communities are in creating a livable, meaningful 21st-century city. They share our preservation values and have the ability and desire to succeed in college.

“Our goal through the scholarship program is to build lasting relationships with capable young people who care deeply about this region,” said Executive Director Louise Sturgess, “and we have been able to do just that,” she added. Two former recipients, Kezia Ellison (2001) and Todd Wilson (2002), are trustees of PHLF. Steven Albert (1999) works in Pittsburgh for Perfido Weiskopf Wagstaff + Goettel and is involved in renovating the Frederick & George Rapp houses at Old Economy Village. Paul Steidl (2007) is an intern architect at Perkins Eastman Pittsburgh, and Terri White (2001) works for the Heinz History Center. James Washabaugh (2004) just returned from service in Afghanistan and is working at Michael Baker, Inc. in construction management. With others working as architects in California and New York, or pursuing various professions throughout the United States, PHLF is creating its own “Landmarks Nation.”

PHLF has awarded 52 scholarships ($4,000 each over a four-year period) since the program’s inception in 1999. Twenty-five of those winners are Pittsburgh Public School graduates and 27 are graduates of other schools within Allegheny County. The program is funded by the Brashear Family Fund of PHLF and PHLF members and trustees. In 2008, PNC Bank and BNY Mellon generously contributed to the Landmarks Scholarship Fund. The scholarship helps underwrite book and tuition expenses only.

To learn more about PHLF’s Scholarship Program, please contact: louise@phlf.org or 412-471-5808, ext. 536.