Alumni Scholarship Program - Luzerne County Head Start

Alumni Scholarship Program

Head Start Alumni Scholarship Program

Every fall, Luzerne County Head Start invites former Head Start students in 12th grade to apply for its Alumni Scholarship Program.

Funded by businesses, organizations and individuals in the community, the merit-based, competitive scholarship program honors the achievements of Head Start alumni set to graduate from high school and continue their education.

In 2024, LCHS awarded $22,000 in scholarships to 16 seniors from seven school districts in Luzerne and Wyoming counties, bringing the total to $355,450 since the program’s inception. Since 1987, a total of 349 scholarships have been issued to students to offset the cost of higher education.   

The scholarship program is open to LCHS alumni who are graduating from high school and planning to attend a college/university or vocational/technical school. Students living in school districts served by LCHS, who attended Head Start in other areas, are also eligible. Additionally, those who attended Pre-K Counts (LCHS program ONLY) may apply.

The Scholarship Committee of the LCHS Board of Directors chooses recipients based on academic performance, personal achievements, leadership, motivation and school and community involvement. Scholarships are awarded during the annual LCHS Anniversary Luncheon in May.

Applications are closed for the Class of 2025. Applications for the Class of 2026 will open in October 2025.

Interested in sponsoring a scholarship? Call 570-829-6231 ext. 356 or email brookew@hsweb.org for more information.


2024 Alumni Scholarship Recipients

In 2024, LCHS awarded $22,000 in scholarships to former Head Start students set to graduate from high school and continue their education. In the front row, from left: Heidi Knoss, Bara’a Kamal, Isabel Vazquez, Lucy Obrzut, Jacinda Miller and Tina-Pearl Nghotambo. Back row: Joseph Souder, Emily Jacien, Ivy Visneski, Shirley Samanta Bermejo-Calle, Julitza Cazares Gaspar, Michelle Muñoz-Cordero and Jadon Tlatenchi. Not pictured: Marie Popielarz, Ibraheem Latifou and Katelyn Tereska.

Thanks to our 2024 Scholarship Sponsors

Fran Williams Memorial Scholarship

Benco Family Foundation Scholarship

Eugene Hogan Memorial Scholarship

Tomalis-Gatusky Family Scholarship

PNC Bank Scholarship

Navient Community Fund Scholarship

George R. Evans Memorial Scholarship

Mary & Tom Sewatsky Family Scholarship

LCHS Board of Directors Lena Taylor Memorial Scholarship

Luzerne County Bar Association Charitable Foundation Scholarship

Church of Christ Uniting Scholarship

Friends of Head Start Scholarship

LCHS Policy Council Claudia O’Boyle Memorial Scholarship

Delaney Family Scholarship

Coombs Family Memorial Scholarship

Pittston Tomato Festival Committee Scholarship

Cross Valley Federal Credit Union Scholarship

Travis Black Scholarship