National Awards and Youth Boards

The Congressional Award is the United States Congressional award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals.

Casady Recipients: Claire Richards '06, Gold, Arjun Nanda'15, Silver
Grant Kirk ‘24, Bronze

Winners of the ABC Summer of Service Award receive a $1,000 award to help make a lasting, positive change in the world. Especially interested in ongoing, youth-led projects that highlight the creativity and commitment of young people working to meet the needs of others. Involved in volunteering? ABC Summer of Service wants to hear your story of service. All applicants must list Casady School Service Learning as their sponsoring organization. The award check will be sent to the sponsoring organization or school. The sponsoring organization or school will accept the award funds for the applicant and work with them to utilize the funds. YSA cannot send award funds to an individual.

Middle and high school students are eligible to apply for the Prudential Spirit of Service Award. You could win $1,000 and a trip to Washington D.C.

Casady Recipients: Rachel Clapper '04 Project SOS: Prevention of Teen Suicide
Volunteers of the Year: Infant Crisis Services Youth Board: Jessica Greene ’15, Caitlin Clements ‘07

The World Neighbors & KFOR Dignity Award recognizes those people who invest in the power and potential of others, respecting their dignities and empowering them to greater self-potential – all values shared by World Neighbors.

Casady Recipient: SOW LOVE Project 2012, building schools in Zambia, The Utz Family and Friends

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, a program of nonprofit organization Young Heroes Project, celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. Each year, the Barron Prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8-18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment.

Focused on childhood obesity issues. The 21 youth leaders play an integral role in advising and providing a youth perspective to the Alliance as we strive to encourage young people across the nation to make healthy choices. Board members also serve as national spokespeople for the Alliance speaking at local and national events, interviewing with journalists and health-education experts, engaging with community leaders, and addressing their peers. In addition to their role as advisors and spokespeople for the organization, a cornerstone of the Youth Advisory Board is their commitment to service-learning. Each board member is responsible for initiating healthy changes in their own neighborhoods and school districts by engaging in service-learning programs in their communities. A nationwide search brings together a select group of youth ages 9-17 from diverse backgrounds. This year’s board is comprised of 21 energetic, well-spoken, and passionate youth from coast to coast who truly want to make a difference in their schools and communities. Sponsored by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation

http://www.healthiergeneration.org/teens.aspx?id=4294967493
National Youth Advisory Board. Super Bowl of Caring: Tackle Hunger  
Twelve high school students (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) selected from across the nation. They give their voices to our mission while gaining invaluable opportunities for decision-making, leadership, travel, and training.

Students entering grades 7-12 are eligible to apply for a seat on The Frederick Douglass Family Foundation (FDFF) Student Board of Advisors. 50 students from all over the country interested in addressing the issue of human trafficking and modern day slavery will assist in creating service projects that will have a real impact on this global dilemma. Their ideas will affect change. FDFF is accepting applications beginning immediately with a deadline of June 8th. The board will meet via a toll-free conference call monthly with the first call tentatively scheduled for June 15th. Applications should be sent to Robert Benz via email at rbenz@fdff.org or call 702-523-4845.

Create a more just, sustainable, and peaceful world with young people, their schools, and their communities through service-learning. The council is a team of teens ages 14-21, recognized for their dedication to promoting youth leadership, service learning, youth-adult partnerships, and diversity. YAC advises NYLC on its programming and brings a valuable youth perspective to the organization’s work. In order to ge a messenger of the Youth Advisory Council a teen must attend the National Youth leadership Training with a team from the home community. Once you have completed NYLT, the teen has the opportunity to apply to serve on the Youth Advisory Council. NYLT alumni are selected from this competitive application process and compose the NYLC YAC.

Dedicated entirely to teens interested in any artistic discipline. TAC members enjoy demonstrations from professional artists, visit local creative hubs, and host their own gallery shows and performances. The mission is bringing together teens and the arts.

With 15 members, ages 14-18, from different schools around the metro area, the TAC is diverse in its members as well as in its program planning. If you are interested in the visual arts, photography, music, dance, theater, or fashion, and would like to earn some community service hours, and want to create new opportunities for teens and the arts, then the Teen Advisory Council would be the place for you!    

Big Brothers Big Sisters Oklahoma Teen Board is a non-profit organization that provides vulnerable children with a caring adult mentor and friend who, through a professionally- supported relationship, stand in the gap to change their lives.

Teen Board members participate in activities that allow them to connect to the Big Brothers Big Sisters mission, and give them experience in leadership, volunteering, event planning, public relations and collaboration with other teen leaders from different schools in the Greater Oklahoma City area. Members of the Teen Board learn about the powerful impact of mentoring in our community. Members will participate in and help coordinate many BBBS activities, including the organization’s primary fundraiser, Bowl for Kids’ Sake. Application
                        
Process
 1. Applicants must be enrolled high school students in Oklahoma County
 2. Teen Board members will be asked to sign a Commitment Form.
 3. Those selected for the Teen Board must attend orientation
 4. Teen Board members are required to attend 75% of the meetings/activities
 For more information contact: Christina.Hightower christina.hightower@bbbsok.org

For the last 26 years, Rotary District 5750 has held the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) conference for the north-western quadrant of Oklahoma. Casady is in the northwestern quadrant district.
Casady has been matched with a nearby Rotary Club or with the district itself.

We are looking for students that have potential, however, could use some help getting there. We have a unique program that not only teaches the hands-on skills of a group leader, but also leads students to discover who they are and what skills they have to be a person of character that others want to follow. Some clubs may wish to interview the students. The clubs cover all costs, so the camp is free for students, acceptance via email.

The role of the Teen Board is to help expand the base of volunteer support at the high school level among service-oriented school groups within the Oklahoma City metro. The Teen Board will represent us and work to increase and enhance community awareness of the Foundation. The Teen Board will plan and host fundraising events throughout the year; all efforts benefit us directly.
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Board members have the opportunity to develop leadership and volunteer skills, as well as utilize their talents to build a professional network with their peers from around the city. Each individual is asked to commit to a personal fundraising minimum of $250. 

Teen board plans and implements one fundraising effort a year and promotes the Children Miracle Network mission, vision, and purpose. Teens have the opportunity to develop leadership and service skills. Students also build a professional network from diverse backgrounds and group affiliations. Members learn to be accountable for the ongoing support of Oklahoma sick children. Contact Nona Merriman for application and details.405-271-1175, nona-merriman@ouhsc.edu

Serves children living in foster care in central Oklahoma by providing clothing, personal hygiene kits and books four times per year, hosting a Back2School event, and partnering with DHS and KFOR to fill Christmas wish lists during Joy4Kids.

Citizens Caring for Children extends the opportunity of leadership and service to Oklahoma City high school students through their Teen Board. The board is composed of outstanding students from OKC high schools who have a passion to serve, lead, and help children in the foster care system. The Citizens Caring for Children Teen Board teens have the opportunity to participate in leadership training, fundraising events, service learning opportunities, and acquire volunteer service hours.

Interested students please request an application. Return the completed and signed application by email to jkeller@cccokc.org, aalred@cccokc.org, or by mail. Students may also hand deliver their application. For questions contact jkeller@cccokc.org, Director of Development or Abby Allred, Summer Intern at (405) 753-4099.

This board is an opportunity to gain experience in leadership, volunteering, event planning, meeting planning, public relations, and collaboration with other teen leaders. http://careysuevega.com/ 

FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) is a unique opportunity for youth leaders to serve on a highly distinguished national council; to complete self-selected youth preparedness projects; to voice their opinions, experiences, ideas, solutions and questions on youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of FEMA and national organizations working on youth preparedness and to participate in the Youth Preparedness Council Summit.

The Focus on Home Mission...” To serve families in need by providing the means for a dignified home, creating a clearer path towards a stronger future."

To do this, Focus on Home collaborates with other organizations to identify deserving families in need of gently used, donated furniture and household goods. Focus on Home goes far beyond filling furniture gaps, helping to ensure the healthy development of children by creating warm, comfortable homes where families can live, love and grow strong.
                                
Focus on Home is a 501(c)(3) organization. The Focus on Home Mission...” To serve families in need by providing the means for a dignified home, creating a clearer path towards a stronger future." To do this, Focus on Home collaborates with other organizations to identify deserving families in need of gently used, donated furniture and household goods. Focus on Home goes far beyond filling furniture gaps, helping to ensure the healthy development of children by creating warm, comfortable homes where families can live, love and grow strong.

The Focus on Home teen board will be responsible for a fundraiser, donation drive and furniture placement days. The students will be required to complete 20 community service hours and attend regular monthly meetings. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Abby Tompkins, Teen Board Director @ Focus on Home at 405-395-7013.

To raise awareness about Infant Crisis Services within the community and to raise funds to help feed needy babies and toddlers. Teen Associate Board Members do this by soliciting donations and sponsorships for the auction they host.

OKC Beautiful Teen Board is a unique opportunity for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors to connect with the community as well as their environment. The purpose of the OKC Beautiful Teen Board is to bring a team of high school students together to aid OKC Beautiful and make their city a better place to live, work, and play.

The Teen Board seeks to encourage personal growth and the development of skills required of good leaders. All Teen Board members are expected to adhere to the standards of OKC Beautiful and to uphold our mission. OKC Beautiful is a nonprofit organization working to improve the image and appearance of Oklahoma City through programs, education and community engagement. Teen board members will meet once a month and will participate in learning opportunities, service projects, and a fundraiser. If you have any questions email: Kristen@okcbeautiful.com 

OEDA is looking for high school students who have the desire to be leaders, work in the community, promote positive body image, and spread awareness of eating disorders. Members of this newly formed Teen Board will be given the opportunity to gain real world experience in public speaking and community outreach, earn community service hours, build their resumes, and learn about how nonprofit organizations function. Teen Board members can also receive letters of recommendations for their college applications.
                                
This program is designed to give students leadership opportunities in the field of eating disorders. Meetings will be focused on planning events for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, promoting positive body image, and learning about eating disorders and nonprofit organizations. Our Teen Board Members assist OEDA by spreading awareness on high school campuses statewide.

For more information, contact Ms. Venus Heidari directly at (405) 651-3009. OEDA Teen Board Director.

This teen board was started in 2007. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame Teen Board gives 9-12 grade students the opportunity to promote Oklahoma pride in the community and state, while at the same time learning skills like event planning, fund-raising and collaborative group work. The teen board is responsible for planning and implementing the annual fundraiser to benefit the education programs of the organization and museum. The board meets once a month from August through March. Since its inception, our Teen Board has raised over $160,000 giving back to the museum’s free field trip program and providing an annual cash scholarship for the statewide Oklahoma Scholarship competition.

Board members promote pride in the community and state while learning valuable real world skills. Students meet notable Oklahomans and participate in Association and Museum programming The Teen Board is responsible for planning and implementing an annual fundraiser to benefit the education programs of the Association and Museum. Students serve a term from August through April, with their annual fundraiser taking place in March. To apply for the board, students must be in grades 9 through 12 in Oklahoma. It’s preferred that students have previous leadership and volunteer experience, either through school or another organization.

In addition to attending monthly meetings in the fall and twice monthly meetings in the spring, each member of the Teen Board is responsible for serving on a committee, raising sponsorship dollars and in-kind donations. Though the commitment to serve on the board officially begins in the fall several social events will take place over the summer to help students get to know each other. For an application contact Corie Baker at 405-523-3212 or clb@okahomaheriatge.com.

There are 24 members on the board each year. Members are selected through an online application and interview process. Teen board members are expected to serve a one year term with the term beginning in September and ending in May. The board will be responsible for placing a special event to benefit the Central OK Humane Society. The board members are required to attend a minimum of 7 out of 9 meetings. The monthly meeting time will be the same each month Members are responsible for sending a letter of resignation if they are unable to fulfill their responsibilities to the board. Verification of volunteer hours will be provided and, if requested, letters of recommendation to colleagues or employers can be made available.

The program is designed to educate Oklahoma youth about the nonprofit profession, how nonprofits work, and how teens can be philanthropists who work alongside nonprofits in identifying community issues and achieving solutions while using OMRF’s biomedical research mission as a project of their own design. The progam will meet monthly alternating between day and evening sessions throughout the year. Oklahoma students are invited to apply and up to 40 will be chosen, Contact Kelly McGuire’s office at 405-271-7230. FAX: 405-271-7199, cell: 405-821-7206, email: kelly-mcguire@omrf.org. Selection by application and personal interview.

Payne Education Center’s Teen Board will educate teens about what Payne is doing to help children with dyslexia and other reading difficulties in the community. The Payne Teen Board offers unique opportunities for teenagers to contribute to the Oklahoma City community in a meaningful way, while allowing them to guild resume credits and real world experiences the Teen Board has monthly meetings. Payne Education Center’s Teen Board will educate teens about unique offerings and ways to child resume credits while contributing to the world in a real way.

The Teen Board has up to 15 members per year and are selected by application and interview process. Members are expected to serve a term beginning in November and ending in March. The board will be responsible for planning a special event that is scheduled for February. Verification of volunteer hours will be provided and, if requested, letters of recommendation to colleges. Please email Dana Schwarz at kschw70705@aol.com or call 405-831-9998.

Smart Start Teen Advisory Board is being established to provide awareness and education to parents with young children between the ages of 0-5. Teen Advisory Board members will work together collaboratively with other students around the greater Oklahoma City and surrounding areas on an end of the year fundraising event, outreach projects and more With colleges and many employers looking for experience and volunteer efforts Smart Start Central Oklahoma’s Teen Advisory Board is a great place to learn valuable business and networking skills, all while having fun. If you have a passion for helping in the community, please contact Alex Moorehead for an application and more details at 405-286-2734 or morrehead@smartstartokc.org.

Teens making an impact on the life of single parents and our community. Application available by calling 405-286-3700, mount@bethelfoundationusa.com 

The Foundation started a Teen Board program in 2015 to attract a dynamic, service-oriented group of young people who have an interest in helping. The Toby Keith Foundation with OK Kids Korral is making a difference in the lives of children battling cancer. Request the application from Lauren Polchinski, Development Associate, The Toby Keith Foundation, Development Office, 818 N.E. 8th Street, OKC, OK 73104. 405-271-8001 ext. 30802.

This organization is part of Youth L.E.A.D., which stands for Leaders Engaging Across Differences. The flagship program in Sharon, MA has graduated close to 200 youth who become leaders on their college campuses and in their communities. Youth L.E.A.D. OKC first trained class will consist of 28-30 diverse high school students. Meetings are the first Sunday of each month from 3-7 PM at the YMCA Corporate Headquarters. FOr more information contact Shannon Presti, Director of Teen Leadership Initiatives. SPresti@ymcaokc.org, 500 North Broadway, OKC, OK 73102, 405-297-7728, 405-361-8825