The Distinguished Student Award is designed to recognize achievement in academics, the arts, innovation, leadership, and/or service for students across the Commonwealth. PAGE believes that this award inspires students to achieve their fullest potential, highlights high-ability students, and draws attention to the merit of addressing the educational needs of Pennsylvania’s gifted and talented children.

One child per grade range category can be named a Distinguished Student and each winner receives a PAGE Certificate of Excellence as well as a monetary gift to be used to further their intellectual, artistic, or service pursuits.

Eligible students may be nominated by parents, teachers, peers, or community/civic groups.  The nominator must be a current member of PAGE. The award is open to students in the following grade range categories: grades 3-6, grades 7-9, and grades 10-12 who are outstanding in one or more of the following areas:

  • Academics by displaying curiosity and motivation to learn, by challenging him/herself to go “above and beyond,” and by consistently demonstrating high academic performance;
  • The Arts by exhibiting originality, creatively executing ideas, and exhibiting technical competence; and/or
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurial Spirit by producing a new concept, product, service, or similar and by executing a plan to that end; and/or
  • Community Service/Leadership by proactively addressing the community, demonstrating initiative, and committing energy with actions resulting in direct benefit to others.

To qualify, the nomination application should include:

  1. A statement (500-word limit) explaining the reasons for the nomination.
  2. Three letters of recommendation. At least two should be from someone other than the nominee’s family member – such as a teacher, principal, or mentor, explaining why the student is deserving of the award, what sets him or her apart from others, and how the nominee impacts other people in the community. The letters of recommendation should include the following points:
    1. What is the activity or interest area for which the student is being nominated?
    2. How did the student become interested/involved in the activity?
    3. What impact has the activity had on the student and on others?
    4. How have the student’s future plans and goals been affected by this activity or interest area?
    5. How does the student intend to use the prize money to further his/her endeavors?
  3. Release form completed and signed by a parent granting permission for PAGE to use the nominee’s name, composition, and a photo in award publicity and announcements, should he or she be selected.
  4. The nominee must be enrolled in a PA school during the 2023 calendar year.

To submit an application for the Distinguished Student Award you can complete the form below.

All submissions must be received by September 6th, 2023

 

 

2024 Distinguished Student Award Nomination Application

  • Nominator Information:

  • The Nominator must be a current member of PAGE.

  • Supporting Information & Documentation

    In this section, you will provide a statement (500 word limit) explaining the reasons for this nomination. Please attach any supporting documents and representative letters of support from administrators, teachers, parents, and/or students (maximum of five).
  • In 500 words or less explain the reasons for why you are nominating this student for the Distinguished Student of the Year Award.
  • You are able to upload multiple documents to this dropbox. If you encounter any problems, contact kshoupe@giftedpage.org for assistance.
    Drop files here or
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