Students of the Year is a philanthropic leadership development program through which highly-motivated, high-school leaders embark on a journey of professional growth, ensuring that they stand out when preparing for college and beyond. During the program, students utilize professional skills such as entrepreneurship, marketing, and project management in order to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Student leaders fundraise for LLS in honor of children who are blood cancer survivors, local Honored Heroes. The title Student(s) of the Year is awarded to the Student or Student group in each community who raises the most funds during the 7 week competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZc3fGyjCIg
Students of the Year Quick Facts:
- The LLS National Capital Area (NCA) chapter held the first ever standalone Students of the Year campaign in 2014. In its first year, 15 students from the DMV collectively raised over $386,000 for the mission of curing blood cancers.
- This year the LLS NCA chapter is celebrating its 5th annual campaign. The competition began on January 11th and ends with our Grand Finale Gala on March 3rd, 2018 at The Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.
- The Students of the Year campaign is a 7-week fundraising competition in which nominated high school students – who demonstrate qualities of leadership, volunteerism, philanthropy and community engagement—raise funds to benefit the LLS mission.
- The 2018 campaign goal is to raise $1 million. If accomplished, the LLS NCA chapter will be the first ever Students of the Year campaign to raise $1 million.
- LLS is currently recruiting candidates for Students of the Year 2019. Ideal candidates are motivated high school students who are passionate and excited about giving back to the community and changing the world.
- The Reason: Leukemia is the number 1 cancer killer in children under the age of 20.
- The candidate or team of candidates that raises the most money at the end of the competition earns a scholarship to the college or university of his/her choice. An additional three candidate/candidate teams will be selected to receive a Citizenship Award based on their campaign’s commitment to Community Involvement, Volunteerism and the Mission of LLS.
Students of the Year Details:
- This year, students in over 50 chapters across the country will be participating in the Students of the Year campaign and there will be both a local and national winner named.
- Students can run as a single candidate or as a team of up to 3 candidates. Candidates then build out their team to include multigenerational team members.
- The amounts raised are top secret and are not disclosed until the local Student(s) of the Year is announced at a Grand Finale Gala.
- Every dollar raised counts as one vote, the student team that has the most votes by the Grand Finale Gala will be named “Student(s) of the Year”.
- Students have the opportunity to earn college scholarships and community service hours.
- “A great campaign! It was a wonderful time, and I worked my tail off for the success that my team achieved. It was great to meet so many people. And to lead others in raising funds for a great cause.”- Margaret McConville, 2017 Students of the Year Candidate
How Candidates Fundraise:
- Students rally their communities, schools and families to support their fundraising efforts.
- Candidates will send letters, host events, solicit sponsorships and secure auction items.
- Sponsorship levels range from $2,500 – 100,000 allowing students to get the experience of pitching local businesses and allowing local businesses the opportunity to partner with LLS and this youth led program.
- Candidates receive mentorship and support from the Leadership Team led by Co-Chairs Amanda and Jason Tiede of Tiede Financial and past Students of the Year candidates who have been nominated to be peer mentors.
- The campaign includes a number of events allowing students to meet one another and providing them with tools and resources for a successful campaign.
How to participate:
- Your company can support a candidate in their fight against cancer by becoming a local sponsor. Opportunities range from a $2,500 event sponsorship to a $100,000 Corporate Beacon sponsorship. For information about how your company can make a positive impact in the Washington, DC area by participating as a sponsor, please visit http://www.studentseries.org/national-capital-area/article/sponsors.
- During the campaign, the easiest way to get involved is to make a donation to a candidate who inspires you. All proceeds benefit LLS’s mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS is the world’s largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to curing blood cancers and improving the quality of life of patients. List of 2018 Candidate here: http://www.studentseries.org/content/meet-the-2018-candidates
- If you are interested in participating in the 2019 campaign, please email Alli Kelly at Allison.Kelly@LLS.Org
