Attention all graduating seniors! Every year, Honors Graduation awards five seniors each with a $10,000 scholarship. Applicants must design and work on a community improvement project, using our checklist as a guide.
In previous years, we have seen some incredible projects, and we’re certain our 2026 applicants will do amazing things as well! If you need some inspiration or want to read more about our previous winners’ projects, you can find all of that by clicking here.
If you would like to read more about our scholarship, you can find all the details here. You can also find all of the application links, FAQs, and other details on this page.
For your reference, the deadlines are as follows:
Optional Strategy Feedback Form- due by March 9, 2026 Final Submission Form- due by April 13, 2026 Winners will be chosen by May 4, 2026
If you are a senior, you know a senior, or you teach/work with seniors, please spread the word! Share this blog post, and follow us on social media for updates and tips!
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been spotlighting our 2025 Build A Better Future Scholarship recipients. Each of our winners worked hard to design and execute a project that bettered their community. Their determination, hard work, and perseverance was inspiring. You can read more about each of the projects here.
Each year, we choose five projects that have been especially inspiring to receive a $10,000 scholarship. On top of that, one of those five projects is chosen as our top project, with the winner receiving an additional $5,000 grant to continue their project. This year’s top winner was Japteg Singh-Bamrah, whose project, The SolarMech Engine, aimed to help rural farmers obtain energy by harvesting the power of the sun, thus improving their livelihood and capacity to continue farming, even when the area’s power is out.
Japteg is from Punjab, India, and recently moved here to the states. He will be attending Purdue University where he will be studying Robotics Engineering Technology. He loves science, and has been particularly drawn to physics. He finds great joy in building and creating, which he was able to use for his project. He said his favorite snack (and form of self-care) is a hot cup of noodles— which he likes to enjoy while sitting in a cold, dark room with Netflix on.
The SolarMech Engine was born when Japteg was in 10th grade and was required to do a project that reflected his interests. His initial idea was to do something based around food and cooking, but after he spotted an old toy steam engine sitting on his bedroom shelf on night, his mind began to conjure up a new plan. He said, “If I had to describe it, I’d say the inspiration was like a tornado—many factors swirling together and creating something powerful. Just seeing [the steam engine] reminded me of how fascinated I used to be with moving mechanical parts and engines. That changed everything. I ditched the cooking idea and started researching different kinds of engines instead. As I read more, a new idea took shape in my mind: What if I could build an engine that used solar heat as its only fuel? It seemed like a crazy and ambitious idea at the time, but I felt so drawn to it that I decided to give it everything I had.”
Initially, the SolarMech Engine wasn’t designed with a particular need or demographic in mind; it was designed purely out of innovation and curiosity to see if it would actually work. However, it didn’t stay that way for long. He said, “Things changed when I switched schools after 10th grade… My new school was located in a more rural region, near the foothills of Badhani. That’s when everything started falling into place. During my daily commute to and from school, I saw so many farmers using handpumps to draw water, old diesel-powered flour mills running in completely unhygienic conditions, and even in our school, the power supply was so unreliable that we had to rely on bulky, polluting diesel generators. I was seeing all of this every day, and it started to bother me more and more. That’s when it hit me—my engine could actually be useful here. The SolarMech Engine, with its ability to generate both electricity and heat from solar energy, could be a game-changer for these communities. It could reduce their dependence on diesel, provide a cleaner way to run small-scale machines like flour mills, and even help with heating during the harsh winters in that area. And later, we even considered that the same engine could be used for cold storage applications, which would be very helpful for preserving harvested crops. So yes, the connection to this demographic came after the idea was born, but once I saw the match between the two, I knew I had to pursue it.”
When Japteg first began bringing his idea to life, he didn’t have access to a lab, funding, or other materials he’d need. Rather than give up, he worked with what he did have access to: steel cans, balloons, and bicycle spokes. Japteg eventually realized that if he wanted to continue to push his project forward and create a useable machine, he would need funding and access to materials. His project paused for over a year, until he came across the Jigyasa EPIC Hackathon, which is a national-level innovation challenge put on by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Japteg was surprised when his project was chosen to be in the top 50 projects (out of over 1,500!). This gave him a confidence boost as well as access to the support he’d been needing to continue his project.
He was paired with Dr. Nasir UI Rasheed at CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and the project took off from there. Now, with access to a research lab, funding from CSIR, as well as equipment needed to experiment with, Japteg was able to really push forward with his idea. About this, he said, “We tried five different engine configurations and three types of solar collector designs, testing them at various altitudes and temperatures. Eventually, we found that a vertical dual-piston, no-valve engine with a hexagonal center-cut collector plate gave the best performance.” In addition to Dr. Rasheed’s mentorship, Japteg’s mother, father, and brother were incredibly helpful and supportive. The project took first place in the Hackathon! You can read more about that here.
As with any project of this scale, there are bound to be setbacks. In addition to the initial lack of access to needed materials and funding, Japteg also experienced difficulty with time management, rejection from an engineering professor, and resistance from his mother when he first began his work. All of these problems were met with determination, and Japteg was able to work through them.
One of the biggest concerns he faced was the fact that he was moving to the United States— he would need to find new support systems, teammates, and figure out where to gain lab access. Despite this challenge, Japteg is determined to continue his work on the SolarMech Engine while at Purdue. He is hoping to use resources available at the university as well as to gain the support and help of like-minded peers and professors. His goal is to move from a model to a field-deployable machine, and he has every plan to make that happen!
Since the project is still in the works, it has not yet been deployed on a large scale. However, with the few machines that have been created, Japteg was able to demonstrate his SolarMech Engine to some farmers. Those that were able to see how the machine worked were excited and hopeful that they would soon be able to benefit from Japteg’s innovative idea.
What an amazing idea that will no doubt change the lives of many, particularly the farmers who will be able to use the SolarMech Engine. We are excited to see the impact of Japteg’s work as he continues to move forward with his project!
Back in April, when our Build A Better Future Scholarship Applications were due, I was reading through submissions, finding myself very impressed with the caliber of projects that students had done. There were so many incredible projects submitted, and choosing winners was hard! A couple of projects really stuck out to me and the team, one of which was a project called “Laps for Philly”, and was spearheaded by Eva McIver-Jenkins and Ava Gonnella.
First, a little about these two brilliant minds! Ava and Eva recently graduated high school in Pennsylvania. This fall, Ava will be attending Fairfield University, where she will be rowing and studying economics. She is the oldest of three, enjoys spending time outside, learning to play the ukulele, and ice cream. Eva will be attending Brown University, where she will be studying biomedical engineering. She has been swimming competitively for 12 years, loves math, and Ben & Jerry’s cookie dough ice cream (especially after a long practice).
Ava and Eva were given the opportunity to resurrect a project that had previously attempted to raise funds for swimming lessons at a community pool. The project, called Laps for Philly, was driven by the goal to provide swimming lessons for underprivileged kids. Ava and Eva felt passionate about this project because, as swimmers themselves, they understood just how important water safety is. They both noticed racial and economic disparities in access to swimming. Ava wrote, “I’ve seen firsthand how valuable swimming is—not only for safety but also for confidence, connection, and community. That realization inspired us to launch Laps for Philly, a project rooted in both equity and empowerment.”
Eva began her swimming journey on a predominantly Black swim team. They practiced in a pool that was lacking in resources. This experience was part of the driving force behind Eva’s desire to provide accessible swimming lessons to children in similar circumstances. She said, “Laps for Philly serves young students in underserved Philadelphia communities who often lack access to affordable swim lessons, safe pool facilities, and consistent aquatic programming. These communities face systemic barriers to swimming access, including financial constraints, facility shortages, and historical underrepresentation in the sport. The project was created in direct response to this need, with the goal of providing swim education, promoting water safety, and building pathways for equitable participation in aquatics.” Ava also felt a pull to help young swimmers have the access they needed to succeed.
Once they had the idea and goal of their project worked out, they needed to figure out the logistics— funding, locations, access to materials, and so on. They began by researching and learning how other organizations had approached the issue and looked into what resources were already available for them to use. From there, they began to network with their school, community members, coaches, and families. They developed a plan to raise awareness, raise funds, and even built a youth ambassador program. They raised money through a swim-a-thon and other creative events, encouraging community members to participate or donate to the cause. They reached out to their school for help as well, and used social media to spread the word about their cause.
Eva and Ava didn’t let any roadblocks stop their dream from becoming a reality. Eva wrote, “One of our biggest challenges was finding space for our fundraisers and building partnerships with schools and pools. Coordinating with multiple organizations and aligning schedules took time and patience.” They learned to communicate, lean on each other, and to stay flexible. They also learned to adapt to needs as they changed or came up. These obstacles were learning experiences and eventually led to a stronger system and better leadership.
Even both girls will be away attending college, Laps for Philly will continue to make an impact on young swimmers. Ava said, “we’ve been intentional about creating a structure that can grow with or without us. We’ve built a team that includes younger ambassadors who will carry on the mission, and we’re working on expanding our board and community roles so leadership is sustainable.” What a brilliant idea to structure the project to be able to continue to grow for years to come!
The impact that has been seen through this project has been incredible. Ava wrote, “We also saw how the project helped people feel seen and valued, especially when they realized the work was being led by students who truly cared. This project has helped over 50 families learn to swim!” Involving the community is an excellent way to spread awareness and include all kinds of people. Eva wrote, “The community response was overwhelming in the best way. People wanted to help—through donations, volunteering, or signing their children up for swim lessons…. Laps for Philly became a movement that extended beyond our original vision.”
Not only did this project impact their community, both Eva and Ava said the personal impact was also great. They learned how to be leaders, work together, and work through challenges. They found that passion alone was not enough to sustain a project of this magnitude— they also needed community support and structure. Both girls found a sense of purpose through participation in this project, and are better people because of it.
What an incredible, powerful project! You can tell that both Eva and Ava are passionate about water safety and proper swimming technique. They want to share that knowledge and passion with others who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Their impact has been great, and will continue to be so as their organization keeps growing and changing! Good work, girls!
Today I’m spotlighting another one of our Build A Better Future Scholarship winners, Ryleigh Brenamen -Trumbull. Ryleigh recently graduated from high school and is currently attending The Ohio State University, where she will be majoring in Marketing and Non-Profit work. She loves being with her family, going to pretty places in nature, and ice cream.
Ryleigh’s project, ALS Awareness Campaign, aimed to raise awareness and support for ALS and ALS research. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive nervous system disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, eventually leading to muscle weakness, decreased or loss of motor control, and paralysis. There is currently not a cure for ALS, but research is being done to better understand this disease and hopefully find a cure.
Ryleigh began her project when her grandmother was diagnosed with ALS. Ryleigh realized that not many people really understood what ALS entails, and she was determined to show her grandmother just how much she cared and how important this cause was to her. Working with her DECA advisor at school, Ryleigh created a plan to advocate for those suffering with this terrible disease.
Ryleigh conducted research to determine what kind of fundraisers would both engage people and raise the most funds. She hosted several fundraisers, including a Strike-Out ALS bowling tournament, 2 Trivia Nights, a Corn Hole Tournament, an Empathy Dinner, and an Ice Bucket Challenge. Through these events, she educated people about ALS and raised money that was donated directly to Hoenselaar Clinical Trial Program in Detroit, Michigan. Through her fundraising efforts, Ryleigh was able to raise and donate over $29,000 to go toward ALS research!
Though she has now graduated from high school and moved on to college, she hopes to continue her efforts as much as she can. She writes, “I was accepted into the Advocates for Communities and Education Scholars Program at OSU, so I plan to try to bring this cause to this group to hopefully continue to raise awareness and possibly funds in Columbus. I also would love if my DECA chapter continued the project. Lastly, I am currently working with my family to create a scholarship under my mema’s name that has some kind of special essay based around ALS or other disease related.”
This project has had a significant impact on Ryleigh. She said, “This project had an amazing impact on me and what I want to do with my life. It truly showed me what I’m capable of and how much of an impact I can make at such a young age. It has now changed what I want to dedicate my life to.” She was incredibly lucky to have a great support system that included her mom and dad, step-parents, grandpa, aunts, uncles, friends, her boyfriend, and her DECA advisor.
What an amazing project for such a critical cause! Through her efforts and donated funds, I’m certain that Ryleigh was able to bless the lives of many who suffer from this terrible disease. We wish her luck as she begins her college experience and as she continues to advocate for ALS awareness and research!
The Build A Better Scholarship application deadline has officially passed! I’m excited to dive into the applications and read about the projects that you all have been working so hard on. I know it’s hard to wait, but please be patient with me as I make my way through the applications. The goal is to have winners chosen and notified by May 1, 2025.
This week’s scholarship reminder and tip is about submitting your videos and pictures! Since we can’t physically meet with every single applicant to see their project in action, we need you to SHOW us your work in the form of photos and videos. Both video and photos are required to be considered as a scholarship winner. Below, I have included the specific requirements and guidelines for both photo and video submission. The requirements listed below are exactly what you will find on the application.
Video Requirements:
*2-5 minutes *Must be edited to include: -Examples of your work in action (photos, video clips, etc.) -A few words directly from you regarding your project (can be voice-over) *Include 1-3 brief interviews with people you are working with *Must address the following questions: -What would you improve with more time? -What new skills or concepts have you acquired? -What have you learned about yourself based on the experience?
***IMPORTANT*** Please make sure your video is viewable. Please check the share settings before submitting it. You can choose to upload a Google Drive folder containing your video OR you can upload or link a YouTube video you made.
Photo Requirements:
We would love to see evidence of your project and work! Photos could include, but are not limited to: pictures of brochures/handouts/advertisements you created to go with your project, pictures of your physical prototype, if applicable, and pictures of you in action– giving a presentation, working with your community, building your project, etc. You are the magic behind your project– take pride in it and document yourself making a difference, then share it with us!
Please share photos of publish-able image quality of your work. A minimum of 5 photos is required, but more is encouraged.
Failure to upload images will result in disqualification. Uploading images directly or providing a link to a Google Drive folder of photos is acceptable. Providing photos in a video slideshow, PDF page, PowerPoint, social media account, or any other non-publishable way will result in disqualification.
You can find additional application requirements and other information here. As a reminder, applications are due on April 7, 2025 at 11:59 MST.
Just a friendly reminder that final application submissions for this year’s Build A Better Future Scholarship are due by Monday, April 7, 2025 at 11:59 MST. Prior to submitting your application, please ensure you have met all requirements, have all pictures and videos correctly uploaded to the form, and that all contact and school information is accurate.
You can find the application as well as our FAQ page here. Should you have any further questions, please reach out to us via email at scholarship@honorsgraduation.com.
We can’t wait to see the amazing projects you have been working on!
