We Welcome Four New Landmarks Scholarship Recipients

PHLF Trustee David Brashear, Chair of the Landmarks Scholarship Committee, recently announced that scholarships ($6,000 each, payable over four years for book and tuition expenses) will be awarded to four high-school graduates from Allegheny County:

• Nancy Marie C. Beinlich, from Elizabeth Forward Senior High School, who will be studying Biology at The College of William and Mary;
• Maya R. Berardi, from Avonworth High School, who will be studying English at the University of Pennsylvania;
• Lauren N. Jasper, from The Ellis School, who will be studying Architecture at Cornell University; and
• Francesca Lojacono, from Pittsburgh CAPA, will be studying Architecture at Cornell University.

Seventy-one high-school seniors from Allegheny County applied to our Landmarks Scholarship Program this April. Each person wrote a memorable essay about a place in Allegheny County that is personally meaningful and submitted letters of recommendation attesting to his/her academic achievement and community involvement. Essay topics included the Benedum Center, Braddock Carnegie Library, “Clayton,” the courtyard at the Carnegie Museum of Art, Crafton, Duquesne Incline, East Liberty, First Lutheran Church, George Westinghouse Bridge, Glen’s Custard in Springdale, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Mellon Park, North Park, Oliver Miller Homestead, South Side Market House, Strip District, Swissvale War Memorial, and Triple B Farms. All the essays are bound and archived at PHLF. Together they show how young people connect with the historic built environment that PHLF and many others work hard to protect. We thank each person for applying and encourage all the applicants to stay in touch with PHLF through their complimentary four-year membership.

“The Landmarks Scholarship recognizes students who have achieved academic excellence and possess the potential to make a difference in the Pittsburgh community and beyond,” said Mr. Brashear. Since 1999, PHLF has awarded 76 scholarships and 14 honorable mentions to high-achieving students who are active in their communities and pursuing a college education. Of these 90 winners, 35 graduated from Pittsburgh Public Schools and 55 graduated from other schools within Allegheny County.

PHLF’s Scholarship Program is funded by generous contributions from the Brashear Family Named Fund, the McSwigan Family Foundation Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Landmarks Scholarship Fund, including donations to the 2008 and 2014 Scholarship Celebrations. To contribute, visit: www.phlf.org or contact Mary Lu Denny at PHLF (marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527).

“With additional contributions to our Scholarship Program,” said PHLF Executive Louise Sturgess, “we will be able to award more scholarships. So many of the applicants are especially deserving and need financial assistance. In the long run, we benefit by developing strong relationships with all the applicants since they share our values and care deeply about the Pittsburgh region. We thank the Brashear family for initiating this program that has given our organization the means to connect with so many outstanding young people.”

The Landmarks Scholarship Program is the culmination of PHLF’s educational programs for thousands of students from grades PreK-12 and the beginning of its programs for adults. It gives Allegheny County students an incentive to excel in school, become involved in their communities, and express their commitment to this region in a meaningful way.