Recognizing Outstanding Youth - Programs

Youth of the Year Award

Each year the club conducts a Youth of the Year competition at the local high schools. The object of the search is to select the most outstanding male and female all-round active students who are qualified for graduation. Winners at the local level advance to competition at the District level and, if successful there, advance to the National Exchange Club level.

Exchange club President Leo Fracalosy and counselor on right awarding Youths of the Year

Youths of the Year are selected at the following schools:

• Newport Harbor High School
• Corona Del Mar High School
• Costa Mesa High School
• Estancia High School

Awards include a plaque and a cash award:

• Local level - $ 1,000
• District level - $ 2,500
• National level - $ 10,000

Competition dead-lines are as follows:

Local level selections begin in January. District level selections are made by April 1. National level selections are made by June 1.

Young Citizenship Award

Our club offers a “Young Citizenship” award to 4 ^th , 5 ^th and 6 ^th graders in the local school district, providing a dictionary to the winner of an essay competition on the topic of, “What Citizenship Means to Me.” This simple program presents the awards at the daily “flag deck” in the local schools and involves the children at an early age with Americanism.

Accepting the Challenge of Excellence (A.C.E.) Award

Annually, the club recognizes graduating high school students who have overcome a serious challenge and/or made a dramatic change in their attitude and performance some time during their high school years. These "at risk" students have often overcome great physical, emotional or social obstacles, yet most often these accomplishments have gone unnoticed. In 2013, we recognized 10 such students, giving them each a plaque and a $2,500 scholarship.

Our club ACE Award recipients are recommended to the District level and can ultimately receive recognition at the National Exchange Club level.