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Community All-Stars

2024 Community All-Stars

For the 17th consecutive year, Independent Health and Business First have teamed up to offer a program that identifies and honors our Community All-Stars, a group of extraordinary Western New York high school seniors who have shown a commitment to positively impacting the lives of those in their school or community.

All-Stars are nominated in three categories:

  • Community All-Stars
  • Wellness All-Stars
  • Diversity & Inclusion All-Stars

These students demonstrate the following qualities:

  • Be of good character.
  • Have made a difference in their community through their community service.
  • Embrace the diversity of students throughout their school.
  • Be friendly and open to all.

Each student nominated by their school Guidance Counselors as Community All-Stars will be showcased in a special printed section to be published by Business First in May 17, 2024 and recognized with a plaque during an awards ceremony/assembly by their school.
 

$2,500 Scholarship Opportunity

Students selected as an All-Star in any of the three categories are then encouraged to submit an essay describing their volunteer efforts, contributions and how they made a difference throughout their community or school. Essays will be considered by a panel of judges and one student in each of the three (3) All-Star categories will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

  • A Community All-Star is a high school senior who: has shown a commitment to positively impacting the lives of those in their school or community.
    • Efforts could include:
      • Raising funds to send children with developmental disabilities to a special summer camp.
      • Organizing a campaign where students and youth lift the spirits of senior citizens in area nursing homes through cards, letters, and visits.
      • Creating a basketball camp for children in grades four through six.
 
  • A Wellness All-Star is a high school senior who: goes above and beyond to demonstrate active leadership in engaging and encouraging health, wellness and healthier living throughout their school or community.
    • Efforts could include:
      • Establishing a community garden to produce food for local pantries.
      • Organizing healthy living community workshops focused on fitness and nutrition.
      • Creating a public education campaign about the importance of eating healthy.
 
  • A Diversity & Inclusion All-Star is a high school senior who: is dedicated to advocating for those facing racism, bias, and inequality and who has helped their peers take positive action bridging the social divide within their school or community.
    • Efforts could include:
      • Creating a new student club or group to fight oppression, learn skills and develop strategies to be more inclusive.
      • Finding opportunities for youth-led and youth-focused education that provides the knowledge and skills needed to make changes.
      • Creating a project to make their school or community more inclusive and just.

 

See official rules