Top 10 Awards for High School Students
by
Indigo Research Team
&
Published:
June 13, 2024
Last Updated:
September 11, 2024
High school is an opportunity to learn, grow, and shine! Winning accolades is one way of advertising your success.
These awards for high school students can enhance the attractiveness of a college application.
Besides, they can be scholarships and other doorways to opportunities.
This article identifies some of the most prestigious awards for high school students to win or apply for.
The National Merit Scholarship Program is a big deal if you're a high school student who loves learning. It is one of the top awards to apply for because it signifies intelligence.
Think about what it would be like to be known as one of the brightest students in the country. Yes, that's what this award stands for.
Now, to win this award, you'll have to take the PSAT/NMSQT test in your junior year. This test will focus on math, reading, and writing. If you score really high, you get an award and recognition for students who are top performers.
There are different types of awards:
1. Commended Student: You did well on the test, and your hard work is recognized.
2. Semifinalist: You're given this award when you scored even higher than commended, so now you're eligible for scholarships. Once you're a semifinalist, you'd move on to the next stage of the competition. Winners receive scholarships that will pay for college.
So, if your child is still in junior year and is very good in math, reading, and writing, you should tell them about this. NMSP is definitely an award to win.
For ambitious scientists, the Intel ISEF is an eminent stage that brings together the most intelligent minds from all over the globe.
This competition celebrates science innovation and gives high school students a chance to present their original research. This isn't just any good award for students.
Winners are accorded esteemed awards and recognition for their outstanding strokes in scientific research. These awards usually attract significant cash prizes.
Moreover, winners might get scholarships to support their education, thus providing financial aid throughout the academic journey.
Aside from money, students with this award will be involved in the Intel ISEF experience, allowing them to present their projects and meet renowned scientists, Nobel laureates, and industry experts, giving them networking opportunities. This is one of the most prominent awards for high school students.
The Congressional Award is one of the special programs on the awards list for students who want to challenge themselves and make an impact.
This award is about setting goals and striving hard to achieve them.
Helping your community, becoming stronger and healthier, learning new things, and exploring new places are the four main areas to focus on to win this award. You can also get awards in schools by participating in this program.
The age bracket for the Congressional Award is 13 to 23 years old, making it an excellent opportunity to acquire skills that will be useful throughout your life while you become a better person.
On top of that, once you meet all requirements, official certificates signed by members of Congress representing your district, along with medals or flags flown over the U.S. Capitol building, are given out as awards.
If you're tired of seeing the same old stuff among awards lists aimed toward students, this could be what you've been waiting for.
FBLA offers a range of awards for high schoolers for excellence in various business competitions. The contests can be about ethics, literacy, or entrepreneurship, and they enable high school students to prove their commercial savviness and problem-solving abilities.
FBLA awards are eligible based on active membership in an FBLA chapter, participation in chapter and competitive events, and demonstrated proficiency in business-related skills.
Attending FBLA conferences, competitions, and community service activities make students eligible.
These awards represent a comprehensive commitment to business education, leadership development, and the growth of critical skills needed for future success in the world of business.
As a parent or student, you can find the award list for students on the FBLA website. That way, you'll learn the categories of awards available to students.
This contest has been running for nearly a century. It is an important award for students in grades 7-12 interested in arts and writing.
It covers a broad range of artistic categories, including but not limited to paintings, sculptures, photographs, poems, short stories, and graphic design.
Gold Keys, Silver Keys, and Honorable Mentions are given to the best works, after which judges go through every submission for originality, technical skill, and personal expression.
The Scholastic Awards Beyond recognition allows students to publish their works, showcase them, and earn scholarships. That way, students can share their thoughts and pursue their art dreams.
The Regeneron Science Talent Search, previously known as Intel Science Talent Search, is a gold standard for high school seniors who love science subjects.
In other words, this is a special award for students who want to make real changes using scientific research.
How do you get awards like this? It all starts with carrying out primary investigations in areas of study such as biology, physics, computer science, or environmental studies.
This will be an opportunity to deal with actual challenges facing the world and contribute to the available body of scientific knowledge.
However, it doesn't end with the research itself. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is a personal and academic development process.
During the competition, you will hone your communication skills and learn how to present information well, come into contact with great scientists, and get noticed by future mentors and collaborators. At the closing of the contest is Regeneron Science Talent Search Finals Week, where an honors award can be found for about 40 top finalists, and many others receive honors.
At this point, you will be required to give a presentation on your research before esteemed panelists vying for life-changing scholarships/awards. All these are secondary rewards compared to the recognition of hard work and satisfaction that comes from knowing that you have made our world brighter through scientific work.
The Emerging Leader Honor Award is presented by DECA, an organization that seeks to train future business leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as high school students who demonstrate outstanding leadership qualities.
Rather than simply being another addition to a CV, this award is a distinction that shows a student's dedication to both professional and personal growth.
This honor award is earned through a combination of scholastic achievements. A very sound academic success, being actively engaged in DECA activities, and service responsibility towards the society.
These are not just intelligent students. They're leaders who understand what teamwork, innovation, and integrity mean. Those are the core values of DECA.
National History Day Contest is a prestigious award for high school students who are passionate about history.
Participants are expected to conduct extensive research and develop creative narratives in a demanding competition that involves building exhibits, making documentaries, performing plays, or writing papers, among other activities.
The winners will be listed among the most respected awards, which shows their historical analysis ability and excellent communication skills.
The National History Day Contest is an intellectual adventure and a way of honoring the finest prize, presented to young people committed to revealing narratives concerning earlier times.
The NSDA is a prestigious honor given to high schoolers who excel in public speaking and debate.
These awards vary from levels of distinction to service awards, honor commitment, and ability. The apex is the National Tournament, where leading contestants compete for the best awards for students in different fields of study.
Through its clear points program and emphasis on personal growth, the NSDA experience transforms students into better communicators, irrespective of their achievement level.
Every year in the fall, the AP Program gives high school students recognition for their outstanding college-level coursework performance with a variety of AP Scholar Awards.
Different levels and qualifications are included in these distinctions. These honors represent the students' commitment and success in demanding academic endeavors at the high school level.
We've rounded up our list of prestigious awards for high schoolers.
From all that's been said, when applying for and participating in awards and competitions, much more than just recognition is at stake.
It is a transformational experience that contributes to personal growth, discovery, and development of new skills.
Whether a student is inclined towards science, arts, economics, or community service, there are countless ways to exhibit your special abilities and interests.
These scholarships will grow with the student throughout high school and lay the foundation for success in college.
To win in this award event, sometimes you need exceptional writing skills. One of the way to improve your writing skills is by doing research. Consider joining our IRIS Program this summer! Our program is designed to help you stand out on your academic record and push your research abilities to the maximum.
