Posted on Wed, Oct. 29, 2008

Art Excellence should be demonstrated through creative ability in drawing, painting, sculpture, fabrics, photography, graphic design or any other medium in the visual arts. Service may include the teaching, inspiration or encouragement of others through the use of visual arts. Art nominees are encouraged to bring a portfolio of their work to the interview.

Athletics Excellence should be demonstrated through physical education or leadership and participation in individual and team sports in the school and community. A nominee may be a participant in sports not included in a school’s athletic program (i.e., archery, sailing, equestrian events). Service and activities may include managing recreation programs, coaching or assisting in athletic activity that contributes to the welfare of others.

Business Excellence should be demonstrated through accounting, entrepreneurial initiatives, marketing and distributive education or consumer education. Service and activities may include the application of office technology and business organization for the benefit of the community. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) may be a major outlet for service.

Drama Excellence should be demonstrated through acting, singing, film, video or radio, dance in theatrical productions, or staging and directing such productions. Service and activities may include designing sets, writing original scripts, directing, performing music or otherwise assisting in choreography or technical productions that may address community concerns. Vocalists who are not involved in theatrical productions are better suited for the Music and Dance category.

English & Literature Excellence should be demonstrated through leadership or initiation of activities related to a fuller understanding of the English language, especially an appreciation for literature. Service and activities may include tutoring in basic reading skills, fostering a love of reading, or encouraging individual expression through written communication.

General Scholarship Excellence should be demonstrated through accelerated studies, such as research in science or mathematics; by tutoring in any academic area; or by encouraging participation in advanced studies and competition. A nominee must have superior academic achievements and must submit a complete high-school transcript that includes class rank or percentile, test scores such as SAT, ACT and Advanced Placement exams, and first-semester grades for 12th grade.

Journalism Excellence should be demonstrated by using writing, editing or reporting skills to benefit others in school, church or civic organizations, or through newspapers, magazines or electronic media in the community. Photographers may be better suited for the Art category unless their photos are used in news publications. Producers and technicians for television programs should choose the Vocational-Technical category unless they are involved in news writing and editing. Nominees may bring a yearbook or several editions of a student newspaper to the interviews, but no more than one edition of the newspaper may accompany the Entry Form.

Mathematics Excellence should be demonstrated by contributing to mathematical knowledge through individual or group research; by fostering interest in advanced mathematics; by tutoring in mathematics, or by using computer science to benefit the community.

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.