It’s The Final Countdown!

Calling all Build A Better Future Scholarship applicants! We are just a few days away from our submission deadline for scholarship applications. You’ve worked hard on your projects, made great impacts in your communities, and now it’s time to turn it over to us! 

Before you hit that final “submit” button, here’s a few reminders for you:

  • Make sure you have gathered all the necessary contact information that is required on the application. This includes names, phone numbers, AND email addresses!
  • Take a few minutes to proofread your application. Does it all make sense? Are there any spelling or other grammatical errors to be fixed? Is contact information entered correctly?
  • You must have A MINIMUM of 5 photos relating to your project– possible photo submissions could include photos of prototypes, photos of you interacting with those involved with your project, photos of final products, etc. You are welcome to submit more than 5 photos.
  • You must include a 2-5 minute video that meets the following criteria:
    • Include examples of your work in action (photos, video clips, etc.)
    • Include a few words directly from you regarding your project (can be a voice-over)
    • Include 1-3 brief interviews with people you are working with
      • You 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?
  • CHECK YOUR SHARE SETTINGS! Double (maybe even triple or quadruple) check that your photos and video(s) are viewable by outside sources. We cannot admire your amazing work if your share settings are set to private. Failure to properly upload your photos and videos will likely lead to disqualification. Don’t let that happen to you! 
  • Lastly, take a minute and breathe. Reflect on your hard work and what you’ve learned. Pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself on a job well done!

You can find more information, including submission links, by clicking here.

We are excited to read through applications, and can hardly wait to see all of the amazing projects that have been done! 

**All applications are due no later than Monday, April 13 at 11:59 MST.**

Proofreading: Worth the Time

We are a mere 10 days away from the deadline for our Build A Better Future Scholarship applications! We are eager to read submissions, and have enjoyed reading those that have come in already. As we get closer to the submission deadline, I’ve been sharing some application tips and reminders so your final submission can be as perfect as possible. You can see the last few reminders here, here, and here.

Today’s tip is to make sure you proofread your application before you hit that ‘submit’ button. Read over your application several times. Have someone else look it over– sometimes a fresh pair of eyes will catch errors that you might miss. 

Make sure you are checking your application for the following things:

  • Spelling errors
  • Capitalization errors
  • Missed punctuation or unnecessary punctuation
  • Flow- be sure your paragraphs flow well, make sense, and are cohesive
  • Correct grammar
  • Email addresses and phone numbers are entered correctly
  • All photo and video links or uploads are viewable by outside sources
  • Answer the questions and prompts thoroughly, but make sure you don’t go over the allotted word count
  • Sentence structure– fix any run on sentences or incomplete sentences

Take the time to make your application reflect your hard work. Don’t rush through it. Will a misplaced comma or period disqualify you? No. Will a couple of misspelled words eliminate you from the running? No. But– applications that are polished and proofread do stand out, and we do notice the extra effort you’ve put in to make your submission as perfect as it can be. You’ve done so much work on your project already, so don’t skimp on the application! 

As a reminder, final submissions are due no later than Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm, MST.

A Group of High Schoolers Set Out to Make Respectful Men in their Community For Generations to Come

“I live in a small, rural town that consists of a population of around 700 people. My school district is a combination of the town I live in along with another neighboring town. Their population only consists of around 500 people. The issue that I have noticed, specifically in our school district, is the decline in respect and courteousness in our young men. I am a senior in high school this year and I constantly hear stories about the way some of the grade school and middle school boys act toward others. I also witness some of these mannerisms in the high school.”

“The solution that the group of us guys has come up with is to start weekly challenges for the grade school students that would last 1-2 months and would bring out the courteous side that all of these young men have. The goals that we have come up with for the month of January are to show politeness (say please and thank you, do not chew with your mouth open, etc.), hold the door for others, and say something kind to a different person each day of the week. Our group has also already scheduled a speaker to come and present to the middle school and high school men. This presentation is called “Man2Man” and showcases the positive impact that young men can make and should play in reducing gender and relationship violence, as well as how to be a leader, and make a positive difference in the community around them. This presentation also describes how men should be encouraged to express their emotions and not feel as if they need to hide the emotions as they are pressured to do so by society.”

“Our goals from this project are to see improvement and growth of leadership and interpersonal skills in young men. Hopefully, long-term these young men will have a better understanding of what it takes to be a good leader and that being a man does not mean that they have to put on a “shell” like society may have trained them.”

“Our group has been meeting with the grade school students every Friday during the month of January to hand out fake mustaches to all of the students who completed the weekly challenge. We also describe the next week’s challenge. I feel that the steps that I take to improve my community have an impact on the world that we should take care of so dearly.”