He inspired his family, friends and community while he was a student at Riverside High School.
His courage during his two-year battle with cancer gained national attention when friends started the #KeepFightingGary campaign on Twitter.
Though Gary Lukasiewicz died in May at 18, his influence is still felt, and a new scholarship established in his memory will ensure that it remains.
The #GaryInspiredMe Scholarship, established by his family and administered by the Scranton Area Foundation, will provide a $2,000 award to two students each year, one from Luzerne County and one from Lackawanna County.
Guidance counselors at every private and public high school in both counties can nominate one student who plans to attend a four-year college or university for consideration for the one-time award. Laura Ducceschi, the president and CEO of the Scranton Area Foundation, encouraged students to contact guidance counselors if they wished to be considered.
She explained that Gary's parents wanted to give back to the community that supported them and Gary throughout his fight, adding a hashtag symbol to the name of the scholarship as a nod to the social media campaign.
"That was important to them because I think that's how a lot of the momentum spread," Ms. Ducceschi said. "Based on the fact that it was spread on social media, the movement really gave a lot of hope and inspiration to Gary himself."
Applicants will be selected based on shared traits with Gary, including academic strength, athletic involvement, good citizenship and involvement in a faith-based or religious organization. Applications are due by April 1 and the winners will be announced at the end of April, Ms. Ducceschi said.
Efforts to reach Gary's mom, Cheryl Lukasiewicz were unsuccessful Friday, but her statements in a news release on the scholarship reflected her hopes for the opportunity.
"Gary loved learning and going to school. College was a dream for him; he was especially looking forward to attending Villanova," she said in the release. "We hope the scholarships can help the students get a start at fulfilling their dreams."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter