Announcement
During the 2025-2026 school year, the Rotary Club of Detroit will honor Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park high school seniors as follows:
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9 - Awards for outstanding community service.
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1 - Ambassador for Equity and Justice Award
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1 – Youth Citizen of the Year Award - One out of the above ten honorees will receive this honor.
Each of the 10 Youth Citizen honorees will win a cash prize of $2,000; the Youth Citizen of the Year will win an additional $2,000 award.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Candidates must be high school seniors who live and attend a public, private, or charter school in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck, and plan to pursue post-secondary education.
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The primary criterion for consideration is a candidate's record of service to school, family, and the community in structured and unstructured situations, including the amount and frequency of service.
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The secondary criterion is a record of leadership.
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Tertiary criteria include academic performance, honors and awards, and demonstrations of exemplary character.
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For the Equity and Justice Award, the candidate must have taken the initiative to empower, educate, and engage others through peace building activities and awareness in racial equality and justice; to bridge the gap through cultural understanding.
Selection Process
Applications for the Detroit Rotary Youth Citizen Service Award (DRYCSA) are available online at the bottom of this page.
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Open to all Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park high school seniors.
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Application Deadline: February 28, 2026 (11:59pm)
Requirements
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The online application must be filled out and submitted by Midnight February 28, 2026.
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A copy of your transcript, including the 2025-2026 academic year to date, must be included (uploaded) with the application.
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A signed copy of the Media Consent form must be uploaded (Download Here)
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A signed copy of the Detroit Public School’s Media Consent form must be uploaded with the application.(Download Here)
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You must prepare and upload a 60-second video with the following content stating your:
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Full Name
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High School
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Favorite Service Project and Why it is Your Favorite
This video, all or in part, will be used for various purposes including viewing by the selection committee, attendees at the YCSA United-In-Service Day and Club members and friends. It may also be used, all or in part, in various media postings. Your consent is covered by the Media Consent form.
The Detroit Rotary Youth Citizen Service Award Committee will review all submitted applications, decide which candidates will progress in the competition, and inform all candidates and their designated parent or guardian of their competition status by TBA.
DRYCSA committee members will schedule mandatory face-to-face interviews via Zoom for all finalists.
Award Ceremony
Award presentations will be made in the spring at regular Rotary meetings held at noon on Wednesdays. More specific details will be provided prior to the award ceremony, as appropriate.
Helpful Information
Familiarity with the mission and work of Rotary will be helpful to applicants. We encourage candidates to acquaint themselves with Rotary prior to completing their application by visiting the following:
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The Rotary Club of Detroit https://www.detroitrotary.org,
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Rotary International https://www.rotary.org,
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Facebook-The Rotary Club of Detroit https://www.facebook.com/detroitrotary,
You may also be interested in following the Wayne State University Rotaract, which is a very active club of undergraduate and graduate students who participate in fun and challenging service activities. Facebook – WSU Rotaract
For more information about DRYCSA, please contact Nicole Valentini, YCSA Committee Chair: nvalentini72@gmail.com
Please have students apply directly through the link: Youth Citizen Service Award Application
