Vincent Legacy Scholarship
Since 2006, Starlight has proudly awarded Vincent Legacy Scholarships to middle school students throughout metropolitan Kansas City. Established with a generous contribution from longtime Starlight supporters Greg and Rebecca Reid, the scholarships provide BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth with funds to pursue professional training and experience the life-expanding possibilities of the performing arts.
To qualify, students in grades six, seven, and eight must display talent and passion for the performing arts, have a strong interest in community service, and audition for the selection committee at Starlight.
Each $2,500 Vincent Legacy Scholarship is administered by the Starlight Community Engagement Department, and funds are applied to the scholarship recipients’ performing arts training during their middle and high school years.
The 2024-25 Vincent Legacy Scholarship application is now closed.
For more information, contact education@kcstarlight.com.
Recipients
Emily Solis
Emily is from Mill Creek Middle School. For her audition, Emily sang “Notice Me, Horton” from Seussical the Musical. She’s interested in using her funds to pursue all areas of the performing arts – including acting, singing, and dance.
Harleigh Reed
Harleigh is from Raytown South Middle School. At her audition, Harleigh sang “Defying Gravity” from Wicked. Harleigh enjoys acting and singing, and also has an interest in the guitar and piano.
Julissa Zaragoza
Julissa is from Sumner Academy of Arts & Science. For her audition, Julissa took on the Adele song, “Easy On Me.” She’s looking forward to developing her acting and singing skills, while growing more confident performing on stage.
Maia Moses
Maia attends Clark Middle School and has already been taking dance classes. For her audition, she performed a solo piece to “Dancing in the Sky.” Her favorite dance style is lyrical. In addition to dance, she plays the flute in her school’s band.
Makenna Holmes
Makenna attends Bernard Campbell Middle School. For her audition, she sang part of “NYC” from Annie. Soon after receiving the scholarship, Makenna performed as “Star to Be” in her school’s production of that same musical.
2024 Recipients
Kamea Richardson
Sumner Academy of the Arts and Sciences
Khamya Witt
Arrowhead Middle School
Meila Ashman
Lincoln Preperatory Middle School
Shaniya Collins
Paul Kinder Middle School
Siobhan Davis
Walden Middle School
2023 Recipients
Ashlynn Hampton
Grandview Middle School
Elliana Hishaw
Lincoln College Preparatory Academy Middle School
Garrett Webster II
Plaza Middle School
Jacob Moses
Sumner Academy of Arts & Science
Navaeh Robinson (not pictured)
Sumner Academy of Arts & Science
2022 Recipients
Dontez Martin
Carl B. Bruce Middle School
Imani Johnson
Lincoln Middle School
Kansas City, MO
Abby Williams
Indian Trail Middle School
Olathe, KS
Veronica Barriere
Belton Middle School
Belton, MO
Denali Hunter
Osage Trail Middle School
Independence, MO
2021 Recipients
Noa Henderson
Lee’s Summit, MO
Savannah Jordan
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Raymore, MO
Samyra Regalado
Sumner Academy of Arts and Science
Kansas City, KS
Chamberlain Webster
Academie Lafayette
Kansas City, MO
2020 Recipients
A’shay White
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
Savannah Jordan
Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School
Raymore, MO
Samyra Regalado
Central Middle School
Kansas City, KS
LaBrenda Roland
Brookside Charter School
Kansas City, MO
Jada Davis
Gloria Willis Middle School
Kansas City, KS
2019 Recipients
Brielle Jefferson
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
2018 Recipients
Natalia Castaneda
Congress Middle School
Kansas City, MO
Tahraji Milsap
Ewing Marion Kauffman School
Kansas City, MO
James Hawkins
D.D. Eisenhower Middle School
Kansas City, KS
Erica Brown
Grandview Middle School
Grandview, MO
2017 Recipients
Carwin Cooper
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
Lauren Howard
Bernard Campbell Middle School
Lee’s Summit, MO
Bianka Morgan
Kansas City Academy
Kansas City, MO
2016 Recipients
Faith Andrews-ONeal-Julu
St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School
Kansas City, MO
Nahrya Williams
Raytown Middle School
Raytown, MO
2015 Recipients
Sophia Mesa
Eastgate Middle School
Kansas City, MO
Nia Phillips
Raymore-Peculiar East Middle Schoool
Raymore, MO
Angel Duong
Grain Valley South Middle School
Grain Valley, MO
T’Khara Jones
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
KhaTera Jones
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
2014 Recipients
Katy Werner
Homeschooled
Olathe, KS
Zachery Garner
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
Amari Lewis
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
2013 Recipients
Paukhansuan Sonna
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
Destane Jackson
Moreland Ridge Middle School
Blue Springs, MO
A’Rya Pratt
Hogan Preparatory Academy
Kansas City, MO
2012 Recipients
Destané Doughty
Overland Trail Middle School
Overland Park, KS
Nakia Hanley
Summit Lakes Middle School
Lee’s Summit, MO
Akia White
Arrowhead Middle School
Kansas City, KS
2011 Recipients
Cydnee Thornton
Grain Valley South Middle School
Grain Valley, MO
Ansonia Serrano
Grain Valley South Middle School
Grain Valley, MO
2010 Recipients
Faith Miller
Maranatha Academy
Shawnee, KS
Alexandra ‘Lexie’ Hairston
Overland Trail Middle School
Overland Park, KS
2009 Recipients
Erica Bess
Urban Community Leadership Academy
Kansas City, Missouri
Kalen Allen
West Middle School
Kansas City, Kansas
2008 Recipients
Dominique Vaughn
Urban Community Leadership Academy
Kansas City, Missouri
Edward Pouncil
Scuola Vita Nuova
Kansas City, Missouri
Ve’Shawn Dixon
Rosedale Middle School
Kansas City, Kansas
2007 Recipients
Karla Morales
Trailridge Middle School
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Deanna Oliver
Pioneer Ridge Middle School
Independence, MO
2006 Recipients
Betzy Castellon
TrailRidge Middle School
Shawnee Mission, Kansas
Courtney Germany
Rosedale Middle School
Kansas City, Kansas