Students from across the United States are invited to apply HERE before November 1, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced today that applications are now open for the 28th Annual Youth Awards, a national program recognizing outstanding high school seniors who are excelling in the classroom, making a meaningful impact in their communities, and demonstrating excellence in one or more of the award categories.
This year, students will be considered in four categories:
- Community Service, sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive
- Green, sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company
- Engineering, sponsored by Southwest Airlines
- Entrepreneurship, sponsored by Taste Salud
Additional categories will be announced throughout the awards season.
“We’re thrilled to select another outstanding class of Youth Awardees who will carry forward the legacy of leadership, academic excellence, and social impact established by past recipients,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “We are grateful to our dedicated sponsors who understand the importance of investing in the youngest and most dynamic segment of our population. We’re in good hands as a community and as a country with these outstanding young leaders going forward.”
The Youth Awards celebrate the accomplishments of young leaders and recognize students for their dedication and social impact. In each category, Gold, Silver, and Bronze recipients will be honored during virtual category celebrations, with one National Youth Award recipient per category selected for additional recognition at the in-person National Youth Awards ceremony. Each recipient will receive a one-time grant of up to $4,000 to support their educational goals and drive meaningful change in their communities as members of the Class of 2027.
To be considered for the 28th Annual Youth Awards, students must:
- Be currently enrolled in high school and graduating in the spring of 2027.
- Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or 7.5 on a 10.0 scale.
- Plan to enroll at an accredited higher education institution during the 2027–2028 academic year.
- Attend the virtual category celebration and the in-person national ceremony, if selected.
Youth Awardees and applicants will become part of the LOFT (Leaders On The Fast Track) Network, a dynamic community of more than 350,000 leaders ages 15–40. Through this platform, members have access to exclusive training, resources, mentorship, career development programs, internships, and full-time career opportunities with Fortune 500 companies.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the Youth Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing education, workforce development, societal impact, leadership and culture. Through the 28-year-old Youth Awards, thousands of high school students from all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and D.C., have been recognized for their achievements in the classroom and community, and their focus on a career path in all STEM areas, entrepreneurship, media, public service, and other categories. Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org. Follow HHF on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.
###
Media Contact: [email protected]
