Local clubs of Kiwanis International are seeking applicants for the 2026 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 21-23, 2026, in Annapolis, MD.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Capital District Teenager of the Year Award welcomes applications from young people who are between the ages of 13 and 18 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.
Recommendation Letters – Up to three recommendation letters may be provided either with the application or submitted seaprately to [email protected]:
Recommendation of School Faculty Member
Recommendation of Community/Non-Profit Organization, or Employer
Recommendation of Adult Neighbor, Clergy or Community Leader
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 21-23, 2026, in Annapolis, MD.
Recognition in the Kiwanis Capital District Convention program booklet and the 2025 The Capital Kiwanian Magazine Summer edition
TIMELINE
November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 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, 2026: Kiwanis Clubs will select and notify club winners and submit certified names to their Lt. Governor.
No later than April 1, 2026: Divisions will select and notify division winners and submit certified names to the ToY District Chairperson.
No later than May 1, 2026: The district level winner will have been selected and the certified name sent to the District Governor.
The 2026-27 District Committee for Key Leader needs your help!
Key Leader is a transformational weekend leadership program designed to help high school students discover what it means to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose. We, as Kiwanians, have the opportunity to provide them with this powerful experience.
The Capital District’s Fall 2026 Key Leader weekend will be held November 13–15, 2026, at the Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center in Wirtz, Virginia.
Here is how Kiwanians can help:
SHARE! Linked below are the website, and marketing materials that can be shared on social media or printed to take to schools. Please share with the students in your SLPs, family, church, and so on. Attendees do not have to be in Key Club to attend, so this is open to all high school students in VA, MD, WV, DC, and DE.
JOIN! The committee needs committee members to help with organizing, marketing, and recruiting as well as chaperones. If interested, please email chair Jeannette Ogilvie at [email protected] The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 22 at 7PM via Zoom. us02web.zoom.us/j/86543171424
Teenager of the Year
DISTRICT OVERVIEW
Local clubs of Kiwanis International are seeking applicants for the 2026 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 21-23, 2026, in Annapolis, MD.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Capital District Teenager of the Year Award welcomes applications from young people who are between the ages of 13 and 18 and are currently residing in DC, DE, MD, WV or VA. The following criteria will be used in choosing winners:
APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:
Recommendation Letters – Up to three recommendation letters may be provided either with the application or submitted seaprately to [email protected]:
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:
TIMELINE
November 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026 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, 2026: Kiwanis Clubs will select and notify club winners and submit certified names to their Lt. Governor.
No later than April 1, 2026: Divisions will select and notify division winners and submit certified names to the ToY District Chairperson.
No later than May 1, 2026: The district level winner will have been selected and the certified name sent to the District Governor.
Download Scoring Rubric Here
Download Application Guidelines Here
Capital District Kiwanis
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The 2026-27 District Committee for Key Leader needs your help!
Key Leader is a transformational weekend leadership program designed to help high school students discover what it means to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose. We, as Kiwanians, have the opportunity to provide them with this powerful experience.
The Capital District’s Fall 2026 Key Leader weekend will be held November 13–15, 2026, at the Skelton 4-H Educational Conference Center in Wirtz, Virginia.
Here is how Kiwanians can help:
SHARE! Linked below are the website, and marketing materials that can be shared on social media or printed to take to schools. Please share with the students in your SLPs, family, church, and so on. Attendees do not have to be in Key Club to attend, so this is open to all high school students in VA, MD, WV, DC, and DE.
Preregistration: k03.site.kiwanis.org/fall-2026-key-leader/#
Promotional flyer and graphics in this folder: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1e4SoBoWGEgtyYFlQ90o8NC0IULLtG51L?usp=sharing
Facebook www.facebook.com/share/1KLujHo7x1/
Instagram www.instagram.com/capitaldistrictkeyleader
JOIN! The committee needs committee members to help with organizing, marketing, and recruiting as well as chaperones. If interested, please email chair Jeannette Ogilvie at [email protected] The first meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 22 at 7PM via Zoom. us02web.zoom.us/j/86543171424
DONATE! We are accepting club/individual donations and corporate sponsorships through the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation secure.givelively.org/donate/capital-district-kiwanis-foundation/cdkf-youth-outreach ... See MoreSee Less
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