Each year, Mt. Lebanon High School teachers nominate rising seniors who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership and character to receive Junior Book Awards from some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges, universities and organizations.

The awards are presented by representatives of participating institutions to recognize students’ academic accomplishments, leadership abilities and community involvement. Recipients typically receive a book, medal or certificate and are often considered for scholarship opportunities associated with the award.

This year, 29 students were honored during a ceremony held April 29 at Mt. Lebanon High School.

Among the recipients was Allie Miller, who received the Cornell University Book Award. She was presented with Peter, Paul, and Mary: Fifty Years in Music and Life, written by Cornell alumnus Peter Yarrow, by Mt. Lebanon and Cornell alumnus Chris Cox.

“I was grateful and honored to receive this award,” Miller said. “It was so special to be recognized by my teachers and to receive the award from Mr. Cox, who gave a thoughtful speech at the ceremony. The book was chosen based on the insights my teachers provided, which made the experience feel even more personalized and memorable.”

Cox, who received a book award himself in 1990 from Boston College, said he was pleased to continue the tradition.

“It’s always gratifying to bestow an award on behalf of Cornell University and the Cornell Club of Pittsburgh to a deserving student,” Cox said. “This year, I was honored to present the 2026 award to Allie, an impressive young woman with a great future.”

Cox said he had not heard of the program until he was invited to attend his own award ceremony more than three decades ago.

“And I still have the book,” he added.

The award also came as a surprise to junior Michael Incorvati, who received the Clarkson University Leadership Award.

“I was very thrilled to learn that I had won a book award,” Incorvati said. “I was not expecting it, so it was a very nice surprise.”

Beyond recognizing achievement, the awards also introduce students to colleges and universities they may not have previously considered.

“Clarkson was initially not on my college radar, but I’ve done some research about it and will likely apply next year,” Incorvati said.

Congratulations to all 29 rising seniors who earned Book Awards and scholarship opportunities from many of the country’s leading institutions. On behalf of the Mt. Lebanon community, we look forward to seeing what the future holds for these outstanding students. 

2026 Junior Book Award Recipients

Brandeis University Book Award: Julia Antunes

Brown University Book Award: Julia Ghil

Carson Scholars Fund: Mason McBride

Chatham University Rachel Carson Healthy Planet Award: Julia Norton

Clarkson University Achievement Award: Hannah Markowitz

Clarkson University Leadership Award:
Michael Incorvati

College of William & Mary Leadership Award:
Eve Magleby-Lambert

Cornell University Book Award: Allie Miller

Harvard Prize Book Award: Charlotte Nielsen

Historical Society of Mt. Lebanon Book Award: Molly Bozick

Princeton University Book Award: Ada Haywiser

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Medal Program: Henry Mitchell

Rochester Institute of Technology Art and Design Award:
John Monocello

Rochester Institute of Technology Business and Leadership Award: Matthew Harrold

Rochester Institute of Technology Computing Award: Filip Drabek

Rochester Institute of Technology Humanities and Social Sciences Award: Freyja Dyrud

Rochester Institute of Technology Science and Math Award:
Sean Harrington

Saint Michael’s College Book Award: Vivian McMahon and
Aritro Moscato

Society of Women Engineers Pittsburgh (11th Grade): Yiru Yang

Society of Women Engineers Pittsburgh (10th Grade): Annelise Mayer

Tulane University Book Award: Joseph Curran

University of Pennsylvania Book Award: Caroline Rost

University of Rochester Bausch & Lomb Science Award: Benjamin Stribling

University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award: Vanshika Jain

University of Rochester George Eastman Young Leader Award: Xavier Bias

University of Rochester Xerox Award for Innovation and Technology:
Brady Lowe

University of Virginia Jefferson Book Award: Emma Curren

Yale University Book Award: Peter Goslin