Certificate award plaque

NSLW DifferenceMaker Award

All schools that are affiliated with NASC, NHS, or NJHS are encouraged to submit their best service project for consideration for the 2005 National Student Leadership Week DifferenceMaker Award.

The award, sponsored by DifferenceMakers, Ltd., recognizes student councils and Honor Society chapters whose service to their community has made a difference in their world. Winning schools receive national recognition, a plaque for their school, registrations for one adviser and one student to attend a 2006 LEAD conference, and a speech by motivational speaker "The Original" Mike Smith, sponsor of the award, at their school during the 2005-06 school year.

A panel of judges representing organizations whose missions encompass service and leadership will judge the entries during April 2005 and will evaluate them based on:

* Impact of the project on the school or local community or results achieved

* Creativity of the project idea and/or its implementation

* Amount of involvement by council/chapter members

* Leadership demonstrated by group members in carrying out the project

* Written quality and clarity of the application.

One high school and one middle level student council and one high school and one middle level Honor Society will be selected as winners.

Official Rules

* Project must be carried out between April 1, 2004 and March 20, 2005.

* A chapter or council may submit only one application for this national award. Schools with affiliations with both NHS/NJHS and NASC may submit two applications, one from each group.

* Applications must reflect the work of chapters or councils that are affiliated with NASC, NHS, or NJHS. All applicant groups must be affiliated with the national office by March 30, 2005. A photocopy of the adviser's membership card must accompany the application to verify affiliation. Other acceptable forms of verification include a photocopy of the mailing label from Leadership for Student Activities magazine or a copy of the school's affiliation certificate.

* Entries must be submitted on the official form, available at www.nhs.us or www.nasc.us.

* Attachments to elaborate on items mentioned in the application are acceptable if they are mounted on 8.5'' ?? 11'' sheets. Submit no more than five additional sheets. Additional materials can include photos, newspaper clippings, copies of printed programs, and so forth. Do not send videotapes.

* Winners will be selected based on their written application forms and accompanying attachments. Judges' decisions are final.

* Winners will be announced during National Student Leadership Week, April 16-22, and will be posted on www.nasc.us and www.nhs.us.

* Entries become the property of NASSP and will not be returned. By entering, applicants grant NASSP the right to publish names and quotes from entries in national materials and to the public. NASSP reserves the rights (1) to not award a prize if none of the entries is deemed worthy and (2) to disqualify entries if they are not submitted according to the above guidelines.

Deadline for Entry

For award consideration, applications must be postmarked by March 30, 2005 and sent to NSLW DifferenceMaker Award, c/o Leadership for Student Activities, 1904 Association Dr., Reston, VA 20191-1537. (Note: The date stamped by the Post Office supersedes your school postage meter date.) Include a self-addressed, stamped postcard if you would like verification that your entry was received.