Nominations for Youth Salutes are requested in their junior year. Students are nominated not only on grades, but also on leadership in school activities, religious organizations, or activities in their community. Each student is asked to complete an application and answer three out of four essay questions. We are applauding balanced young people who understand the importance of giving back. Young people who have already made a significant difference in their world are nominated.
Community leaders interview the nominees throughout the spring and summer months.
Local chapters, as in Cedar Rapids, IA, award as many as 47 scholarships to their seniors. Lexington, KY had 850 nominees in 1999. They have a two day seminar for all nominees, co-sponsored by Drake University, where Youth Salute students stay overnight in a college dorm with Drake freshmen. Tom McCarthy of Belleville, IL has sponsored the two day Winner's Seminar for his Youth Salute for twenty years. Each chapter is unique unto itself.