The Father Louis S. Garbacik Memorial Scholarship was founded in 2011 following his accidental death. On December 26, 2009, after serving Mass, Father was clearing snow from the front of St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church. In the course of clearing snow, so his parishioners would not fall on the snowy steps, Garbacik slipped and fell from the steps, hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. He was taken to the local hospital, unconscious, where he died Jan. 1, 2010.
In the months following, friends, parishioners and members of the Garbacik family decided that something should be done to remember him, and so all of the legal work was done to remember Father Lou and the scholarship foundation was born. This foundation was initiated and run by Thomas P. Kopetskie Sr. until his passing in July of 2024. The Luzerne Foundation now administers this scholarship fund.
This scholarship is available to graduating seniors of Hazleton Area High School, Marian Catholic High School and MMI Preparatory School who will be attending a public or private, 2 or 4-year college/university or technical school. Students at either school must live within the geographical area of the Hazleton Area School District, with no exceptions.
The Father Louis S. Garbacik Memorial Scholarship committee considers the following factors in their selection process: a student’s four-year grade-point average and class rank; college and career choice; extracurricular activities in school and in the community; personal achievements; and recommendation letters from principals, counselors, and professionals within the community. A student’s work history is a plus.
The most important determining factor in receiving this award is a required essay entitled, “Who do I consider to be the greatest Pole/Pol-Am in history and why?” Essay must be no more than 1,000 words.
