Vincent Legacy Scholarship
Starlight proudly awards Vincent Legacy Scholarships to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) middle school youth to pursue professional training in the performing arts.
To qualify, students in grades six, seven, and eight must display talent and passion for acting, singing, and or dancing, and have a strong interest in community service. Auditions are required to be considered.
Vincent Legacy Scholars build confidence, strengthen teamwork, sharpen communication, and nurture creativity.
Established in 2006 with a generous contribution from longtime Starlight supporters Greg and Rebecca Reid, each $2,500 scholarship is administered by the Starlight Community Engagement department.
Application & Workshop
Click HERE for the 2027 Application (Monday, December 14 Deadline)
RSVP for the Free Musical Theatre Exploration Workshop on Saturday, November 21 (10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
For more information, contact community@kcstarlight.com.
Recipients
Dayana Burns
Dayana received her scholarship as a student at the Eastgate 6th Grade Center. For her audition, Dayana did a dance solo. She has trained with Ice Studios School of Dance since she was just four years old and has been part of their Competition Team.
Elleanor Hirth
Elleanor is from Raytown Middle School. At her audition, Elleanor sang “What Baking Can Do” from Waitress. Her surprise announcement that she received this scholarship happened prior to a school performance of High School Musical Jr., where she played the role of Kelsi.
Ethan Suen
Ethan is from Pleasant Ridge Middle School. For his audition, he sang “Proud of Your Boy” from the musical Aladdin. Ethan was in the 2025 Starlight production of School of Rock and 2026 Disney’s Newsies.
LilyAnn Moore
LilyAnn attends Shawanoe Elementary. For her audition, she sang “Popular” from Wicked. In addition to singing, LilyAnn plays the guitar and piano. In addition to playing multiple instruments, she also sings with the Youth Chorus of Kansas City.
Robin Riley
Robin is homeschooled and sang “She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress for her audition. Her surprise announcement happened during one of her classes at Neighborhood Arts Academy for Kids. Previously, she performed as Elsa in their production of Frozen Jr.
2025 Recipients
Emily Solis
Mill Creek Middle School
Harleigh Reed
Raytown South Middle School
Julissa Zaragoza
Sumner Academy of Arts & Science
Maia Moses
Clark Middle School
Makenna Holmes
Bernard Campbell Middle School
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