High School Leadership Awards
The awards recognize the region’s high school students who embody Widener’s commitment to develop and inspire leaders who affect positive change.
For the past 14 years, Widener University has partnered with high school administrators in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware to acknowledge and honor the region’s best and brightest future leaders who take it upon themselves to make a significant difference in their schools and communities.
This award program is designed to recognize high school students in the region, in their junior year, who have demonstrated leadership by standing up for what is right, finding a way to address a wrong, or making a significant difference in their schools or communities. Selected students will be honored and recognized during a special celebration held at the National Constitution Center.
How does the selection process work?
- Step #1 – A high school principal, administrator, or guidance counselor selects a deserving student from the junior class with a demonstrated track record of leadership by submitting an application online on our website.
- Step #2 – After a selection is submitted, a confirmation will be sent to the student, who will then submit an registration form online.
When are the winners notified?
Students selected as High School Leadership Awards recipients will be notified shortly after the administrator selection deadline, which is Friday, November 15, 2024.
What do award winners receive?
If the selected student leader enrolls at Widener University as an undergraduate student, then they will take part in our Apogee Leadership Scholars Program. Our Apogee Scholars receive a $20,000 scholarship over four years, and access to four years of leadership programming, including a Widener Leadership Certificate.
How do students qualify for the $20,000 scholarship?
Students are qualified for the $20,000 scholarship after their completed forms and essays have been submitted. Once confirmed, students who apply, are admitted to Widener, and commit to the Apogee Scholar Leadership Program, will automatically receive the first installment of their $20,000 scholarship upon enrollment.
Next Steps
Principals, administrators, and guidance counselors in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are encouraged to select one current high school junior who exhibits strong leadership skills, academic excellence, and exceptional character by completing the HSLA Principal Selection Form. The deadline to submit a selection is Friday, November 15, 2024.
Leadership and a commitment to foster positive change in the school and community can be shown through activities such as taking a leadership role in extracurricular activities, volunteering for a purpose, and/or demonstrating an intentional positive influence on their peers and associates.
Only one high school junior in good academic standing is eligible to be selected from each school. Students may be selected even if the school does not calculate GPA. Principals, administrators, or guidance counselors must submit the Principal Selection Form.
If you have been formally selected, the awards committee will contact you. You will then need to complete the student registration form.
The High School Leadership Awards celebration event will be held March 26, 2025 at the National Constitution Center.
Additional information to RSVP for the 2025 High School Leadership Awards event will be available by February 2025.