The National Association for the Gifted will award one outstanding Virginia student the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award. The Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Awards are funded by the Nicholas Green Foundation and the Nicholas Green Scholarship Fund and are designed to recognize excellence in young children. The award, which includes a certificate and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, is given in every state each school year. Award recipients are students in grades 3 through 6, who have achieved excellence in one of the following areas of endeavor: leadership, visual/performing arts, or academic achievement. A student may be recommended by a teacher, parent, or civic/religious leader. 

The award program was established through funds provided by Maggie and Reg Green to honor the memory of their seven-year-old son Nicholas who was killed in a drive-by shooting while visiting Italy in 1994.  The Greens felt it was important to recognize gifts and talents in children who are now at the age that Nicholas as when he died.

 Nominees are required to submit the following to VAG for consideration: an application (see below), a non-returnable photo in a sealed envelope, a letter of recommendation (from a teacher, parent, or civic/religious leader), a composition and a signed release form from a parent or guardian.

Click Here to View and Print Application Form in Adobe Acrobat Formation
The student should write a composition which describes:
  • the activity or interest area for which nominated;
  • how the student became interested/involved;
  • what impact the activity has had on self and on others; 
  • how well the interest or activity fulfills a need or solves a problem; and
  • how the student's future plans and goals have been affected by this activity or area of interest.

The composition will be judged according to the following criteria:

  • the interest or activities impact beyond the student;
  • how well the interest or activity fulfills a need or solves a problem; and
  • how involved the student was in the initiation and implementation of the interest or activity.

Jared Taylor
Hanover County Public Schools
 
2009 Recipient of the Nicholas Green Distinguished Student Award