English

For scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: creative writing, English, journalism, literature and related subjects. Two examples of work either published or prepared as classroom assignments must be submitted. The quality of thought, maturity, originality and technical skill will be considered.

Math

For scholarship and achievement in mathematics and related areas. Scholars may exhibit outstanding records in mathematics competitions and evidence of potential contributions to mathematical knowledge. Nominees should be prepared to calculate a mathematical equation(s) in the judging interviews. Nominees should submit state and national math scores and other standardized mathematics test scores.

Social Sciences

For scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: American government, geography, history, economics, social issues, world affairs and/or related subjects. Scholars should have a broad background in the social sciences and demonstrate, exemplify and practice good citizenship. The nominees may have shown inventiveness in relating social studies to existing problems and in translating concepts into experiment.

Science

For scholarship and achievement in advanced work, inventiveness or outstanding service in one or more of the following areas: biology, chemistry, engineering, physics, health science, science and related subjects. Imagination, originality or special contributions will receive major consideration in judging.

World Languages

– For outstanding scholarship and persistence in the study of a world language. Nominees should have made unusual contributions to the field of world language study or demonstrated increasing interest in such studies at their school. Rankings received in world language festivals should be submitted. Nominees should also submit a brief resume of language projects or adventures in which they have participated. Nominees should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to communicate in the language by speaking, listening, reading and writing. For languages lacking a written component (for example American Sign Language and some native American languages) the written component may be replaced by a translation, interpretation or literature exercise that demonstrates skills in grammar, syntax, and artistic forms.

Computer Tech

For outstanding scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: Computer programming, interfacing, networking, repair, construction, design and illustration, media and multi-media, or other related fields. The nominee may have won awards or recognitions, implemented their skills in behalf of their school and community or demonstrated innovative progress in their field. Nominees are not expected to have experience in all listed fields, but expertise in at least one discipline.

Business and Marketing

Demonstrate a high level of scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: Business management, non-profit management, accounting, entrepreneurship, sales, marketing and other fields related to business occupations. Nominees may have won awards in competitions or exhibited proficiency in working with or in small or large businesses. Nominees may have held elected offices, captainships, and other evidences of peer acknowledged leadership. Nominees are also encouraged to provide evidence of successful outside activities that support business career development and interests. Evidence of excellence in standardized test scores, GPA, class ranking, IB classes and quantitative AP courses should be provided.

Skilled and Technical Science 

For outstanding scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: Automotive services, automotive collision repair, cabinetmaking/millwork, carpentry, cosmetology/barbering, drafting/CADD, graphics/printing technology, law enforcement, machinist technician/CNC, welding, film making and other related fields. The nominee may have won awards in competitions, devised equipment or materials for school use or shown unusual progress in this study. Nominees are not expected to have experience in all listed fields, but expertise in at least one discipline.

Family and Consumer Science 

For outstanding scholarship and achievement in one or more of the following areas: child development and care, interior design, family living, food and nutrition, culinary arts, clothing and fashion and other life skills. Nominees are not expected to have experience in all listed fields, but expertise in at least one discipline. Nominees may have won awards in youth organizations, other competitions or may have used skills to render service to their school, church or other organizations.

Speech/Theater

For scholarship and achievement in either debate, drama, theater, public speaking or other forensic events. Nominees are not expected to have experience in all listed fields, just expertise in at least one discipline. Nominees should include in their portfolios two examples of their work or descriptions of their activities related to this category. They should also be prepared to give a brief demonstration of public or oral communication, appropriate to their specialty, three minutes in length. 

Vocal Performance

For demonstrating outstanding scholarship and achievement in one or more of the areas of music. Exceptional talent in vocal performance, but service to school or community through this talent also will be among the determining qualifications. Nominees should be prepared to demonstrate their musical talent for a period of three minutes in length by singing. It is the responsibility of the nominee to provide all devices needed to perform or present materials. (instrument, devices to play recorded material, etc.) 

Visual Arts

For scholarship and achievement in creative expression in one of more of the following areas: drawing, artistic photography, commercial art, mixed media, graphic art, painting, sculpture and related fields. The nominee may have demonstrated professional potential in one or more disciplines, contributed outstanding service to the school and successfully completed in district and state art shows. Nominees are allowed to display actual artwork during judging but only if the piece can be carried without assistance of any kind. Visual arts nominees must show some examples of artwork in their portfolio.

Dance

For demonstrating exceptional skill, achievement and creative expression in artistic dance (ballroom dance included). Portfolios should include training received, dances choreographed, major performances and dance service rendered to the school or community. Nominees should be prepared to demonstrate their technique and choreographic skills by performing a self-choreographed solo composition, approximately three minutes in length. Nominees competing in ballroom dance may use a partner for the performance portion of the interview. The dance partner must leave the room upon conclusion of the performance. Nominees will also be asked to respond to an improvisational problem during part of the interview. No performance videos required – but should be included in the electronic portfolio.

Instrumental

For demonstrating outstanding scholarship and achievement in one or more of the areas of music. Exceptional talent in composition, vocal or instrumental music will be considered, but service to school or community through this talent also will be among determining qualifications. Nominees should be prepared to demonstrate their musical talent during a period of three minutes in length by playing an instrument or singing. It is the responsibility of the nominee to provide all devices needed to perform or present materials. (instrument, devices to play recorded material, etc.) For example, if a nominee needs to play an organ for his/her interview demonstration and an organ is not available at the judging site; a DVD recording may accompany the nominee to the interview.