Music & Dance Excellence should be demonstrated by performing vocal, instrumental music, or dance for the benefit of others, or by fostering wider participation and appreciation for music through school, church or civic organizations. Service and activities may include leading groups that share musical talents with the community. A nominee does not have to participate in a high school’s music classes or ensembles but must document advanced study of an instrument (i.e. vocalist, piano, harp, pipe organ). Music and Dance nominees are encouraged to bring a sample of their work (including the vehicle to play their sample) or other method of demonstrating their ability in this category.

New Media Excellence should be demonstrated by using digital media skills to produce a product that is interactive and digitally distributed to benefit others in school, church or civic organizations; or by creating a new media product through text, pictures, animation, video, sound, or the Internet for the community. The areas of television, film, music composition, and photography may be better suited for the Drama, Art, Music and Dance, or Vocational-Technical categories unless their new media projects are a result of the student initiating, developing, and facilitating the creative process. Nominees may bring a portfolio demonstrating the creative process for the product to the interview (including the vehicle to play their creative sample), but no more than one new media product may accompany the Entry Form.

Science Excellence should be demonstrated through advanced study or application of the principles of chemistry, physics, biology, botany, earth and space sciences, physiology and other specific areas, or by encouraging study in these areas. Judges will evaluate the service rendered through hospital laboratory research against the academic credits given a nominee for such research. Other service or activities may include promoting the preservation of the environment or working to save an endangered species.

Social Science Excellence should be demonstrated through the use of knowledge of American and world history, current events, political science, economics, or sociology for the benefit of others. Service or activities may include activities related to Student Government as well as local, state and federal government (i.e. issue advocacy, voter registration and political campaigns); fundraising or volunteering for social service organizations such as United Way and various health and human service agencies; and history education and preservation.

Speech Excellence should be demonstrated through debate or public speaking. Service or other activities may include organizing public forums, serving as a moderator or spokesperson, performing speech therapy, or encouraging individual expression through oral communication. A public speaker involved in advocacy of current issues but not having classes in speech or debate may be better suited for Social Science.

Vocational-Technical Excellence should be demonstrated through the use of skills that are related to a specific trade, occupation or vocation. These disciplines include health occupations, culinary arts, hospitality, criminology, industrial arts, television production and agriculture. Students of graphic design whose projects include web or multi-media components might be better suited for the New Media category.

World Languages Excellence should be demonstrated by advancing the study of world languages or using a language, as a writer, translator, or interpreter for the benefit of others. A nominee is engaged in the study of any language other than English, even if it is the study of a nominee’s native tongue. Judges will consider the level of advanced study and the extent that the language is “foreign” to a nominee. Service and activities may include promoting better national relations and multicultural understanding, using the world language to help others.