YODA COMMITTEE
The Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) is a city-wide, youth-led awards program. Build your skills by planning a major event and celebrating your amazing peers.
YOUTH CELEBRATING YOUTH EXCELLENCE
The Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) is a youth-led awards ceremony celebrating outstanding junior high and high school students across eight non-academic categories. Committee members review nominations, select finalists, and help plan and promote the event. Together, they create an inspiring, city-wide celebration that shines a spotlight on youth leadership in all its forms. It’s youth recognizing youth for the difference they make.
Shape the celebration
Collaborate on event planning and big-picture decisions that bring the awards ceremony to life.
Lead meaningful conversations
Develop your decision-making and critical thinking skills by reviewing nominations and helping select award finalists.
Make a real impact
Help recognize outstanding youth, uplift your peers, and shape a city-wide celebration.
What’s the commitment
Meaningful commitment. Manageable schedule.
You’ll meet with your team on key, pre-scheduled dates between January and May. We don’t meet every week, but our time together is focused and purposeful.
What’s it like?
Manage your own time
Between meetings, complete some tasks independently at home, on your own time.
Spread the word
Research and connect with local organizations to encourage nominations for the award categories.
Discuss and decide
Meet with your team to review all the nominations and come to a decision on the award finalists. Brainstorm ideas that will make the ceremony fun and engaging.
Celebrate your amazing peers
Host and manage the YODA ceremony, ensuring everything is running smoothly for a perfect day of celebration.
Where is it?
Most committee meetings happen at Youth Central’s office, but hybrid sessions mean you can participate online if you can’t be there in person.
Get started
Get notified
Applications are currently closed. They’ll reopen in late summer 2026. Sign up to get updates on the next application cycle.
Apply
Once we notify you, complete our simple written application.
Selection
Our program coordinator will review your application, and if it’s a good fit, you’re in!
FAQ
You can’t nominate yourself, but you can ask someone who knows you well, like a friend, parent, or teacher, to submit a nomination on your behalf.
YODA is only open to youth who are still registered in junior high or senior high school (aged 12–18).
Nominations are currently closed. But you can read more about the categories and past recipients here [link to nominations page].
YODA is only open to youth who are still registered in junior high or senior high school (aged 12–18).
You can also sign up to receive an update once applications are open.
Yes! As long as you can manage your schedule, you’re welcome to apply to be part of the committee.
The YODA committee is responsible for organizing the event. YODA nominees were nominated by someone in their community to receive an award.
YODA committee members cannot be considered for any of the YODA categories.