Teenager of the Year

DISTRICT OVERVIEW

Local clubs of Kiwanis International are seeking applicants for the 2025 Teenager of the Year Award. Kiwanis is an international organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The purpose of this award is to give recognition to deserving teenagers for their service to their school and community, citizenship, leadership performance, character and academic achievements. If the nominee continues through the competition process at club, division and district levels, the finalist will be awarded the title of 2025 Capital District Teenager of the Year, $2,500.00 and a trip with their parents/guardians to the Kiwanis District Convention, August 22-24, 2025, in Arlington, VA.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Capital District Teenager of the Year Award welcomes applications from young people who are between the ages of 13 and 19 and are currently residing in DC, DE, MD, WV or VA. The following criteria will be used in choosing winners:

APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:

Demonstrated a consistent and dedicated commitment to community service;
Demonstrated positive spirit, courage, academic achievement, generosity and high moral purpose;
Shown initiative, tenacity and unselfishness in pursuit of their community service efforts;
Accomplished something that inspired others to make a positive difference in their community; and
Made an impact beyond themselves that improved their community or the volunteer organization they support.

Statement of non-discrimination: The Capital District of Kiwanis International and the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation do not discriminate on the basis of any applicable protected classification including, but not limited to race, color, creed, national origin, ethnicity, religion, disability, age or sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity.

AWARD INCLUDES:

$2500 funded by the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation (choice of CD, check or savings bond)
Recognition certificate
Trip to the Kiwanis Capital District Convention August 22-24, 2024 in Arlington, VA.
Recognition in the Kiwanis Capital District Convention program booklet and the 2025 The Capital Kiwanian Magazine Summer edition

TIMELINE

November 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025 at 5 p.m. ET: Students may apply online. Only complete applications will be accepted. No applications submitted after that date and time will be considered.

No later than March 1, 2025: Kiwanis Clubs will select and notify club winners and submit certified names to their Lt. Governor.

No later than April 1, 2025: Divisions will select and notify division winners and submit certified names to the ToY District Chairperson.

No later than May 1, 2025: The district level winner will have been selected and the certified name sent to the District Governor.

Download Application Guidelines Here

Download Scoring Rubric Here

Teenager of the Year Application Form

All entries must be submitted by 5pm Eastern Time on January 31, 2025. The application will close automatically at that time.

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 3

Name*

First Last

Nickname

Grade in Current School Year*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Phone*

Email*

Statement of Nominee*

Accepted file types: docx, doc, pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.

Name of School*

School Phone Number*

School Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Engagement: List school-related curricular activities and awards, school-related extracurricular activities and awards, and community and employment activities and community service awards in the proper section of the application below. (Include Name of organization, position, nature of award or honor received and year. Do not duplicate memberships.)

School-Related Activities and Awards (Examples include National Honor Society, music, agriculture, drama, etc.; Activities should be included here when related to academics.)
School-Related Extracurricular Activities and Awards (Examples include cheerleading, Key Club, sports, etc.; Activities should be included here when not related to academics. Focus on community service-based activities wherever possible.)
Community and Employment Activities (Examples include church activities, mission trips, fundraisers, Eagle School/Girl Scout, etc.)
Community Service Awards (Include date of receipt of award as well as what you did to earn the award; i.e., dates and hours of service wherever possible.)

Engagement*

Parent/Guardian Name*

First Last

Phone*

Email*

Letters of Recommendation

All letters must be uploaded as part of application. The only exception is where a writer is not authorized by the school or organization to submit the letter directly to you. Those letters must be submitted to [email protected]

Recommendation of School Faculty Member*

Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 100 MB.

Recommendation of Community/Non-Profit Organization, or Employer*

Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 100 MB.

Recommendation of Adult Neighbor, Clergy or Community Leader*

Accepted file types: pdf, docx, doc, Max. file size: 100 MB.

Local Kiwanis Club*

If there is no local Kiwanis club, please select “NO LOCAL CLUB” and your entry will be routed to the appropriate individual.

Comments

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Kids Need Kiwanis

Teenager of the Year

Teenager of the Year Application Form

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