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The Health Integrity Award (HIA)

Recognizing and celebrating young leaders who champion healthy lifestyles and positively influence their communities. The Health Integrity Award aims to inspire a generation committed to well-being and integrity.

Award Criteria & Rubric

The Health Integrity Award recognizes students based on a comprehensive rubric designed to identify genuine commitment to a healthy lifestyle, positive community influence, strong leadership, and tangible achievements. Each criterion plays a vital role in determining our awardees.

Commitment to a Healthy Lifestyle (8 Points)

Demonstrated personal dedication to a healthy lifestyle through a comprehensive portfolio. This may include essays, video interviews, personal health logs, fitness data (with consent), or statements from coaches/mentors.

Community Influence (8 Points)

Tangible examples of how the student has inspired and encouraged healthy habits among peers and the wider community. Examples include organizing health events, volunteering at health fairs, or leading wellness initiatives.

Leadership & Character (8 Points)

Evidence of strong leadership qualities and impeccable character. This includes in-depth references from teachers, principals, or coaches, and a personal statement reflecting a commitment to ethical conduct and positive influence.

Milestones & Achievements (6 Points)

Documented progress and notable accomplishments in their personal health journey. This could include athletic achievements, improvements in fitness metrics, or successful guidance of others in their health goals.

Total possible points: 30 points

Become an HIA Judge

Our judges are at the heart of the Health Integrity Award, ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation process. Learn about the application process to become a part of this vital team, dedicated to recognizing and empowering young health leaders.

Passionate about health and empowering young leaders? Join our panel of esteemed HIA Judges! Your honest judgment helps us identify the most deserving students.

Application Process:

  1. Submit your application online, providing your full name, school affiliation (if any), graduation year, and a brief description of your fitness/activism background.
  2. Participate in an online meeting with an HIA administrator to discuss the judging process and formally pledge your honest judgment.
  3. Successful applicants will be declared as HIA Judges at the end of an award session. Please apply at least 15 days prior to the end of a 6-month award session to be considered for the current cycle.
  4. For schools with multiple applicants, all qualified individuals are considered, with the highest-scoring applicant chosen if submissions occur within the same session.

Tiers of Recognition

To ensure fairness and maintain the prestige of the award as we grow, the Health Integrity Award features a multi-tiered recognition system, celebrating excellence at local and broader levels. Higher tiers involve more advanced rubrics and larger judging panels.

School-Level Winner

  • Automatic entry into County-Level competition.
  • Receives a prestigious award (certificate, plaque, or medal).

County-Level Winner

  • Automatic entry into State-Level competition.
  • Receives an enhanced award and a cool prize.
  • Featured with a picture on the HIA website.

State-Level Winner

  • Receives the BEST award.
  • Designated as an Honorary Judge for their school.
  • Achieves spotlight feature on the HIA website.

Bonus: Founders' Award

A special recognition for 1-2 individuals who uniquely stand out, chosen by the HIA admin panel. This award celebrates exceptional merit, even if the student did not win in their county.

The HIA Award & Authenticity Check

Discover the tangible symbols of achievement for HIA winners and learn how we ensure the integrity of every award. This section outlines the types of awards given and provides a crucial tool for verifying award authenticity.

What do Winners Receive?

HIA winners receive a tangible symbol of their achievement, which varies by tier and is determined by our available funding. Awards include:

  • A prestigious Paper Certificate
  • An elegant Medal
  • A commemorative Plaque

Every official HIA award features a unique, custom ID. This system ensures the authenticity of each award, preventing fraudulent reproductions and upholding the integrity of the recognition.

Verify Your Award

Enter your unique HIA Award ID below to verify its authenticity.

For official verification by institutions, please contact HIA directly via email or phone call.

Award Banquets & Ceremonies

The Health Integrity Award culminates in a celebratory banquet or ceremony, a moment to honor our outstanding winners and inspire future leaders. The format and grandeur of these events are carefully scaled to align with their level of recognition.

interactive_space Virtual Celebrations

Virtual banquets offer a dynamic and inclusive platform for recognition, allowing winners and their families to connect, share their stories, and be publicly recognized from anywhere.

social_leaderboard In-Person Galas

Larger, in-person galas provide a grand setting at suitable venues, complete with professional staging, microphones, and catering. These events offer a truly memorable experience for winners and guests.

Banquets are primarily hosted for County-Level and State-Level winners, creating an exclusive and impactful recognition experience.

Support the HIA: Funding Our Mission

The Health Integrity Award is made possible by the generous support of individuals and organizations committed to fostering health and leadership in youth. Your contributions directly enable us to sustain and grow our program.

The Awards Themselves

Funding ensures we can provide high-quality certificates, medals, and plaques that truly reflect the prestige of the award.

Award Ceremonies

Support covers venue costs, catering, event logistics, and speaker fees for our virtual and in-person banquets.

Online Infrastructure

Contributions maintain our website hosting, security, and the digital tools necessary to manage applications and judging efficiently.

Ways You Can Contribute:

Corporate Sponsorships

School Partnerships

Individual Donations

In-Kind Donations