Student Visionaries of the Year: A Program Empowering Future Leaders
The Student Visionaries of the Year program is more than just a fundraising campaign; it's a transformative experience that equips young leaders with essential skills, fosters a sense of social responsibility, and empowers them to make a tangible difference in the fight against blood cancers. This program, a key fundraiser for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), offers a unique platform for teens to develop professionally while raising critical funds for groundbreaking research and patient support programs.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Visionary Campaign
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) spearheads the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign, transforming it into a powerful vehicle for disseminating precise information about blood cancers. Beyond its fundraising prowess, the campaign endows teenagers with a distinctive prospect to refine skills indispensable for their imminent professional journeys. Coker Powell, LLS’s executive vice president and chief revenue officer, emphasizes that young advocates for LLS not only raise vital funds but also inspire entire communities to take action.
Nomination and Development
Student leaders are nominated by community leaders, educators, or their peers and work with LLS staff to develop a business plan for success. These teams then embark on a seven-week journey to educate their communities about blood cancers and fundraise for research and patient support.
Skill Development
Teens participating in the Student Visionaries of the Year program gain invaluable experience in public speaking, networking, and financial planning. Loretta Mason, senior manager of social responsibility and community investment at Sunbelt Rentals, a National Presenting Partner of the program, highlights that students gain leadership, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility while raising money for lifesaving research and patient support.
Impact on Student Leaders
The Student Visionaries of the Year campaign leaves a lasting impression on student leaders, shaping them into lifelong advocates for health equity, scientific discovery, and patient support. Many top teen fundraisers have gone on to achieve remarkable feats, including gaining admission to competitive universities, winning prestigious awards, and launching their own startups.
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Team ConneLLS for a Cure: A Story of Sibling Dedication
Posey and Cedar, leading Team ConneLLS for a Cure, exemplify the impact of the Student Visionaries program. Their motivation stemmed from Cedar's personal experience with cancer treatments. They recognized the critical need for funding new kinds of treatments due to the volatility of chemotherapy drugs.
Fundraising Motivation
Witnessing the challenges faced by fellow patients during Cedar's overnight stays on the infusion floor, Posey and Cedar were driven to support organizations like LLS that fund clinical trials and research. They understood that their efforts could directly impact the survival rates of cancer patients.
Teamwork and Leadership
The siblings discovered that their individual strengths complemented each other, with Posey excelling in promotion and organization and Cedar in pitching and strategizing. They emphasized the importance of energy and encouragement in leading their team, creating a supportive environment for their fellow members.
Future Preparedness
The connections forged, the experience gained, and the people touched through the campaign have been invaluable for Cedar and Posey. They feel more confident in their ability to contribute meaningfully to the world, armed with compassion and tenacity.
Team Dynamic Duo: Carrying on a Legacy
MaryAlan, Sophia, and Liv, representing Team Dynamic Duo, were united by their personal connections to blood cancers. They wanted to carry on the legacy of Liv’s sister, who started the team.
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Fundraising Motivation
Each member of Team Dynamic Duo had been touched by blood cancers, with family members and loved ones affected by leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. This personal connection fueled their determination to make a difference.
Teamwork and Collaboration
The Student Visionaries of the Year campaign provided an incredible learning experience for Team Dynamic Duo. They learned how to collaborate toward a common goal, motivate one another, and recognize each other's unique strengths.
Skill Enhancement
Liv notes that her public speaking skills improved dramatically, and she became more comfortable reaching out to people. The campaign opened her eyes to her own potential, demonstrating that even small efforts can create a significant impact.
Bears Beating Cancer: A Passion for Helping Others
Piper, a member of Bears Beating Cancer, was driven by her passion for helping others. She joined the team to contribute to the fight against cancer and provide hope, resources, strength, and support for those affected.
Fundraising Motivation
Piper's commitment to helping others led her to join Bears Beating Cancer. She found it rewarding to know that her efforts were directly helping patients and their families while contributing to the search for a cure.
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Teamwork and Dedication
Working with a team deeply committed to making an impact was inspiring for Piper. The support her team provided was invaluable, and the success they achieved through dedication and planning was incredibly rewarding.
Future Implications
Piper gained valuable leadership skills, learned the importance of teamwork, and enhanced her communication skills through the Student Visionaries of the Year campaign. She learned the importance of a strong work ethic and the ability to persevere in the face of rejection.
Essential Visionaries Scholarship Fund
The Essential Visionaries Scholarship Fund offers renewable scholarships to students pursuing degrees or certificates in education, counseling, psychology, or nursing through college or vocational school programs. This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals.
Scholarship Awards
Students attending vocational-technical or two-year institutions will receive an award of up to $5,000, while students attending four-year institutions will receive an award of up to $10,000. Scholarship America processes scholarship payments, but not all applicants will be selected as recipients.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a current, complete transcript of grades (grade reports are not accepted) and a copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application.
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