Huntsville's Promise
Our Children Our Future

Huntsville Promise needs your help.

The youth-focused group is looking for nominations for its first HiP Awards.

The awards show is designed to highlight the accomplishments of local students who have excelled academically, athletically and through service to the community as well as adults that contribute to youth, according to executive director Scott Atnip.

“We’re trying to recognize people here in the community that have made outstanding contributions,” Atnip said. “We want to make sure that we recognize people that might go under the radar in terms of recognition they receive for their work and accomplishments.”

The group is accepting nominations from the public for the awards in several categories, Atnip said, as well as accepting nominations for people that might not fall into the group’s categories, Atnip said.

“There are the categories ... but we’re also going to open it up,” Atnip said. “If people think there’s someone that should be recognized outside of those categories they can submit their name and the reason they should receive an award.”

Categories for youth awards include:

 • Most Talented Student: for accomplishments in athletics and extracurricular activities;

• Student of the Year: for accomplishments in academics, service, participation in clubs and activities;

• Youth Service Excellence Award: for volunteer and community service;

• Silent Hero Award: for work in the community that many people are not aware of;

• and Silent Talent Award: for a student with extraordinary talent that might go unrecognized.

Award categories for adults include: Educator of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Youth Friendly Business of the Year, Youth-Serving Volunteer of the Year and Youth-friendly Religious Leader of the Year.

Various other volunteer of the year awards will be presented by other youth-serving local groups as well, Atnip said.

“It’s really a big thank to you a wonderul group of adults and students that have made contributions in the community,” Atnip said.

Atnip said this will be the first year of the program, and is hoping success at this year’s program will make it an annual event.

“There are so many students and adults worthy of these awards,” Atnip said. “We are really hoping that we can identify as many worthy candidates as possible with the help of the entire community.”

Nominations are due Sept. 7, and the event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept.. 29 from 6-9 p.m. at the Sam Houston State University Lowman Student Center Ballroom.

To nominate a student or adult contact the Huntsville’s Promise office at 291-5950, via e-mail at satnip@huntsvilletx.gov, or print the nomination form from the group’s Web site at http://www.huntsvillespromise.net.

Award winners will be selected by a group of community members appointed by the Huntsville’s Promise board as well as representatives from the Huntsville Youth Council.

The evening will follow an awards show format with dinner being served and will feature live entertainment and a silent auction.

Tickets for the event cost $25 in advance or $35 at the door as seats are available. Table of eight are available for $175.

For more information, contact Huntsville’s Promise at 291-5950.