Community Awards & Contests
Young Heroes
This annual award, sponsored by TD Bank, recognizes young people who have championed liberty through their actions. Acting on the principle that liberty is a right every person and community should have, the Young Heroes Award recognizes young people who have identified areas where liberty is lacking, and have taken action to make positive social change in their schools and communities. We are looking for young people who have championed liberty through civic engagement, conflict resolution, promoting diversity and school or community leadership.
All winners receive recognition at an awards ceremony at the Museum; a certificate of recognition, medallion and gifts; and a plaque featuring their story in the Museum’s Young Heroes Exhibit. One winner is named the President's Honor Winner and receives a $1000 grand prize. And that's not all...
In 2012 we introduced another special award, The Troy Ray Johnson Memorial Award. Troy Ray Johnson was a 20-year old who was senselessly killed in his North Philadelphia neighborhood in July, 2011. Troy was very involved in his community as a mentor to younger children. He was a former employee of the National Liberty Museum, and his family has been friends of the Museum for many years. In his name, a young person, who has worked against violence will receive a special prize as part of the Young Heroes Award Ceremony.
For a printed nomination form for 2013, click here. To submit your nomination online, click here. We are accepting nominations through June 30, 2013.
We encourage you to review this Sample Letter of Recommendation (PDF) before submitting your nomination. It will show you the type of information that is provided to help us consider a Young Hero Nominee. Please use this as a guideline only. We are eager to hear the accomplishments of YOUR Young Hero.
Highlights of the 2012 Young Heroes Award:
Each year the National Liberty Museum searches for young people who strive to make a difference in their school, community or beyond. The winners of the 2012 award included students who raised money for important causes... students who stepped up to defuse violence and bigotry.... students who used the arts to celebrate diversity and friendship, and many other mentoring, tutoring and volunteer activities. The winner of the President’s Honor Award, receiving a $1,000 and an iPad, was Idress Ahmad, a graduate of Central High School in Philadelphia. Idress was recognized for his leadership role in Operation Understanding, a highly selective program for high school seniors who learn about other cultures in order to lead their communities to a greater appreciation for diversity. The recipient fo the new Troy Ray Johnson Memorial Award was Haniyyah Scott, a graduate of the Preparatory Charter High School for Mathematics, Science, Technology and Careers. Haniyyah, who experienced violence first-hand through the loss of 10 family members and friends, was presented with a $500 check for her highly effective mentorship role in the Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia.
The National Liberty Museum wishes to thank TD Bank for sponsoring the Young Heroes Award, all the nominators for bringing these exceptional students to our attention, Sue Serio of Fox29 News for serving as Emcee, and all the family members and friends who joined us to celebrate these outstanding students.
The winners of the 2012 Young Heroes Award included:
- Madison Bailey, Grade 10, Shipley School, Radner, PA
- Jared Celona, Grade 12, Archbishop Ryan High School, Philadelphia, PA
- Jordyn Colville, Grade 5, Bridesburg Elementary School, Philadelphia, PA
- Antoinette Dawkins, Grade 12, Frankford High School, Philadelphia, PA
- Erika Emery, Grade 12, Neshaminy High School, Feasterville, PA
- Joseph Geiger, Grade 12, Devon Preparatory School, Malvern, PA
- Bridget Giovenco, Grade 12, Sayreville War Memorial High School, Sayreville, NJ
- Desiree Hart, Grade 11, Strawberry Mansion High School, Philadelphia, PA
- Bailee and Brenna Heim, Grade 6, St. Matthew School, Philadelphia, PA
- Yia-Lu Liu, Grade 8, General George McCall Elementary, Philadelpha, PA
- Jeffrey Thomas McDonald, Grade 11, Archbishop Wood High School, Warrington, PA
- Dylan Miller, Grade 7, Carl W. Goetz Middle School, Jackson, NJ
- Avery Kenneth Mitchell, Grade 10, Central High School, Philadelphia, PA
- Mya Robinson, Grade 2, Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School, Philadelphia, PA
- Heidi Wortell, Grade 11, Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, Doylestown, PA
