Earth Day Awards 2014

Earth Day Awards

The National Society of High School Scholars Foundation (NSHSS Foundation) and Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) are continuing to support environmental stewardship and leadership for high achieving high school students.

In 2010, NSHSS established the Earth Day competition to honor and recognize high school students who are making a difference in their home, school, and community through environmental awareness initiatives. In 2012, that competition was expanded by a grant from the Captain Planet Foundation, which is continuing its support of these awards.  Our shared commitments to bettering the environment through these awards increases awareness around Earth Day and Captain Planet Foundation’s work to support the environmental leadership of high achieving high school students and high school educators throughout the U.S. and abroad.

A grant of $5,000 from Captain Planet Foundation supports ten (10) $500 Earth Day 2014 Awards for high school students who are implementing environmental stewardship programs or projects in the communities where they live and attend school.  Students will demonstrate leadership and commitment to the environment through programs or projects that promote innovation and inspire others.

The online application opens January 1, 2014, on the NSHSS Foundation website (www.nshssfoundation.org).  The deadline for students to submit their application is Friday, February 28, 2014.

Eligible applicants are currently attending high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0.  The application is open to high school students worldwide.

Scholarship funds will be sent to the student and can be used for implementation of an Earth Day program or project, or dedicated to educational-related expenses.  The scholarship is non-renewable.

Dr. Susan Thurman, NSHSS Foundation Scholarship Director, will organize and lead the Earth Day 2014 Competition. Dr. Thurman will lead a Judging Panel comprised of leaders from NSHSS Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation and other identified leaders in the community.

 Application Question

Earth Day 2014: It’s Your World…What are you doing to make it a Better Place?

Students are asked to answer the following question in 500 words or fewer.

1. How have you helped the environment in your school and/or community?  Be specific about your program or project, your activities, the results, and the future sustainability of the project.

The deadline to submit an Earth Day 2014 application is Friday, February 28, 2014.

 Application Requirements: 

• Personal response of up to 500 words answering the questions provided on the application
• Educator/Counselor Reference
• Photo

Optional:  Students may supplement their essay by including scanned images of a painting, drawing or collage; a link to a video (no more than 3 minutes), or poem that best illustrates the Earth Day program or project.  These items must be submitted electronically within the application.

Winners will be announced on Earth Day, April 22, 2014