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 live in Needham. 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 a check for $1,000. One of these four students is chosen as the Needham Exchange Club Youth of the Year. That student then competes for the Exchange Club 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, an outstanding college-bound Needham High School Senior is awarded an Exchange Club Scholarship of $5,000 to help with the costs of their college education. | Accepting the Challenge of Education (ACE) Award This award is presented yearly to a graduating Needham High School senior who has overcome significant personal challenges to succeed. The ACE award winner and his or her family are hosted and recognized at an Exchange Club dinner meeting where the student receives the award and a check for $1,500. |