Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes?

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited, highly diverse young people from all across America.  Each year, the Barron Prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Half have focused on helping their communities and fellow human beings; half have focused on protecting the health and sustainability of the environment. The top ten winners each receive a $5,000 cash award to support their service work or higher education.  The primary goal of the Prize is to shine the spotlight on these amazing young people so that their stories will inspire others.

Since its founding, the Barron Prize has won the support of the National Geographic Education Foundation, Girl Scouts of the USA, National Youth Leadership Council, and many other national organizations.

What is the history of the Barron Prize?

The Barron Prize was founded in 2001 by author T.A. Barron. The Barron Prize is named after his mother, Gloria Barron, an unsung hero who worked for twenty years to create the “Touch Museum” of natural history at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. She instilled in each of her seven children the idea that one individual can make a lasting difference in the lives of others. In 2001, the Barron Prize honored ten young heroes from Colorado. In 2002, the Barron Prize expanded to a national level, with winners representing great diversity from all across the country.

What is the purpose of the Barron Prize?

The Barron Prize was founded on the premise that young people need real, heroic role models who have made a meaningful difference in the world. The goal of the Barron Prize is to celebrate such heroic young people-and to inspire others to do their part. As prize founder T.A. Barron explains, “Nothing is more inspiring than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world. And we need our heroes today more than ever. Not celebrities, but heroes-people whose character can inspire us all. That is the purpose of the Gloria Barron Prize: to share positive examples of heroism with as many young people as possible.”

What are the criteria?

The Barron Prize honors outstanding young people, ages 8 to 18, who have shown leadership and courage in developing and implementing an extraordinary service project. The project must clearly benefit other people, our fellow creatures, or the planet we share. Winners must have demonstrated strong personal initiative as well as positive spirit, courage, intelligence, generosity, and high moral purpose. While outside help may have been obtained, the activity must be largely the winner's own creation. The service activity cannot have been done primarily to complete an assignment for work or school. The Barron Prize places significant emphasis on recognizing young people who help the environment.

How are young heroes nominated?

Nominations are made by adults who have solid knowledge of the nominee and his or her work, but who are not related to the nominee. This could include teachers, librarians, civic or religious leaders, among others.

Who is eligible for the Barron Prize?

Young people who are no younger than 8 and no older than 18 at the time of the April 30 nomination deadline are eligible for the Prize. Nominees must be permanent residents of the United States or Canada at the time of nomination. Nominees must have participated in the heroic work for which they are being nominated within the 12 months prior to the nomination deadline.

How do I obtain an application?

Go to the To Nominate page of the website to download a Nomination Packet as a PDF or to access our online application system.

Can a group of young people be nominated for the Barron Prize?

Barron Prize applicants must be nominated as individuals. This policy most fully honors the prize's namesake, Gloria Barron, who believed passionately in the power of the individual to make a difference. At the same time, the Barron Prize recognizes the value of group efforts, and accepts nominations from individuals who are the true leaders of group projects.

How do I submit a nomination for the Barron Prize?

Nominees must submit a completed Nomination Packet, obtained on the To Nominate page of the website. Completed packets must be received in our Colorado office by April 30 (end of business day) of each year. When the Prize deadline falls on a weekend, nomination materials must arrive by 5 pm (MDT) next business day. Packets may be submitted via our electronic application system or may be sent via the U.S. Postal Service, FederalExpress, or UPS to the mailing address below:

The Barron Prize
545 Pearl Street
Boulder, CO 80302

What are some examples of young people who have won the Barron Prize?

Ryan, age 11, has provided clean drinking water wells for over 70 African villages. Joying, age 10, has helped rid South Carolina beaches of litter and pollution. Michaella, age 14, organized the Exceptional Rodeo for kids with physical and developmental disabilities. Kyle, age 16, created Project READ, a reading mentorship program based in his town's public library. Barbara, age 16, created the “Don't Be Crude” motor oil recycling program in her rural Texas town. For more examples, see the Winners page of the website.

What do the winners receive?

Barron Prize winners each receive $5,000 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project. Each winner also receives widespread publicity. See the Nominate page of the website for details.

Who else participates in the program?

The Gloria Barron Prize is pleased to partner with national organizations such as the National Geographic Education Foundation, Girl Scouts of the USA, 4-H, Earth Force, National Youth Leadership Council, Youth Service America, Student Conservation Association, The Foundation for a Better Life, Roots and Shoots, and others. These organizations support the Barron Prize program and help identify potential nominees.