BARRON PRIZE
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from across the U.S. and Canada. Established in 2001 by author T. A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. Fifteen top winners each receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education. Since its inception, the Barron Prize has awarded more than half a million dollars to hundreds of young heroes who represent the great diversity of America. The Prize has won the support of Girl Scouts of the USA, Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots, The Wilderness Society, and National Youth Leadership Council, among other organizations. “Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world,” says Barron. “And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes – people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Gloria Barron Prize: to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.”
ELIGIBILITY
The Barron Prize welcomes applications from public-spirited young people who are, on our April 15 deadline:
• between the ages of 8 and 18 (not yet age 19). • permanent residents of and currently residing in the U.S.A. or Canada. • currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months. • working as an individual to lead their service work. The Barron Prize does not accept applications from large groups of young people.
The Barron Prize does not discriminate against its applicants based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
ANNUAL APPLICATION PROCESS TIMELINE
• Early January: Online application system opens. • By April 15: Application Deadline: All required materials, including three Letters of Recommendation, must be submitted online by 5:00 p.m. MT. • By Sept. 30: Winners will be announced. All applicants will be notified via email.
WHAT WINNERS RECEIVE
$10,000 Cash Award Recognition Gifts Young Heroes Materials Networking Opportunities Media Coverage
SELECTION CRITERIA
Our judges use the following criteria in choosing winners:
Winners must have organized and led an extraordinary service activity which has clearly benefited other people or the planet we share. The service activity must have been initiated and motivated primarily by the winner himself or herself. The service activity cannot have been done solely to complete an assignment for school or work.
Winners must have:
• demonstrated heroic character qualities such as courage, compassion, dedication, generosity, perseverance, and high moral purpose. • shown initiative, tenacity, and unselfishness in pursuit of their goals. • accomplished something with inspirational value—something that could inspire others to make a difference. • done more than survive a difficult personal challenge. Their heroism must have made an impact on the world beyond themselves.
- Winners may or may not have received recognition for their heroic work. Fame itself shall not have been a motivating factor.