Supporting Needham's young people - and fostering their sense of the importance of citizenship and the value of community service - is the focus of a number of our Programs of Service.
Youths of the Month and Youth of the Year Each year, the Exchange Club awards four Youth of the Month awards to high school seniors who attend Needham High School or live in Needham, but attend private high schools. Chosen from among students nominated by their schools, these seniors have demonstrated:
The Youths of the Month and their families are hosted at an Exchange Club Meeting where each youth speaks briefly about his or her experience and receives an honorary plaque and a check for $500. One of these four students is chosen as the Needham Exchange Club Youth of the Year. That student then competes for the New England Exchange Clubs District Youth of the Year award. The winner of the District award then has the opportunity to compete for the National Exchange Club Youth of the Year award. | Exchange Club Scholarship Each year, college-bound Needham High School seniors or Private School seniors who are Needham residents are invited to apply for the Exchange Club Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes a student who has made significant contributions to community service activities while maintaining strong records of scholastic and extracurricular achievements is awarded a $3,000 Exchange Club Scholarship in recognition of community service commitments and leadership. | Accepting the Challenge of Education (ACE) Award This award is presented yearly to a college bound Needham High School senior who has overcome significant challenges to succeed academically and personally. The ACE award winner and his or her family are recognized at an Exchange Club dinner meeting where the student receives the award and a check for $2,000. |