Starlight seeking applicants for Vincent Legacy Scholarship

Starlight Theatre is now accepting applications through April 8 for the Vincent Legacy Scholarship for ethnically diverse youth in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades who have a passionate interest and strong ability in the performing arts. Approximately two scholarships will be awarded that will pay for up to $2,500 of dance, voice or acting training for the selected youth.

Starlight and local community leaders Greg and Rebecca Reid created the Vincent Legacy Scholarship Fund in 2006 and have since awarded 16 scholarships. The Reids have also organized a generous $50,000 endowment fund for the scholarship "to provide youth who show performing arts promise the opportunity to further refine and improve their skills through professional instruction, but who otherwise might not be able to secure additional training."

In addition to meeting ethnic and financial criteria, students must show a passion for the performing arts, maintain an academic achievement level equal or greater than a "B" (3.0) grade level, attend school regularly with no unexcused absences, and demonstrate an interest in community service.

The Vincent Legacy Scholarship is not solely considered a financial award, said Amy Reinert, Starlight Theatre Director of Education. The winners of the scholarships join a group of talented former winners as well as adult mentors whose mission is to guide and encourage the scholars as they advance in their performing arts training while maturing into adulthood. Past recipients continue to stay in touch and mentor new recipients.

"They (past winners) have become leaders," Reinert said. "These scholarships help the students see themselves in a way they might not be able to see prior to this process. Their training is helping them to become singers, dancers and actors, but combined with the mentoring they are receiving, these students become more focused, more self-reliant and clearly more confident. I've seen this attitude also spread amongst their families.

A great example of this confidence and mentoring was apparent at last year's Vincent Legacy Scholarship holiday celebration, she said, when a former recipient who now danced with the University of Kansas Dance Squad, eloquently told the group, "People expect us to fail. Don't live up to that expectation."

Applications for the Vincent Legacy Scholarship and a list of past recipients are available at www.kcstarlight.com, by email at education@kcstarlight.com or by calling (816) 997-1134.