Recognition.
Student Champion Award
The Student Champion Award is the most prestigious student award conferred by The National HEPCAMP Association. Each year at the Annual Conference one (1) student from a HEP or CAMP project receives this award for demonstrating outstanding dedication and performance.
2024
HEP Student Champion
Rosa Torres participated in Mendocino-Lake Community College HEP. She was born in Celaya, Guanajuato. She had to leave school in third grade. At 23, she and her three children migrated to the United States. She started working in the pear orchards and the packing warehouse and got a second job at a cookie factory. She and her husband were diagnosed with cancer, and then the pandemic hit.​ Rosa signed up for the program, but she decided not to continue because of her surgeries and cancer treatment. She returned in 2023 and graduated with her HSE certificate in late March 2024. She is taking ESL classes and is enrolled in Child Development and Culinary Arts classes because she wants to open her childcare business and help working mothers who struggle to find a place to have their children. “I never imagined having these opportunities in my life and the HEP program opened the doors to a bright future”.
2024
CAMP Student Champion
Alfonso Griego participated in El Paso Community College CAMP. He was born in April 2004 in El Paso, TX, is a dedicated student pursuing an associate degree at El Paso Community College (EPCC). With a strong passion for animals, Alfonso aspires to become a veterinarian and plans to transfer to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to continue his education. His commitment to giving back to his community drives his ambition, and he actively works at an animal hospital while seeking scholarships to support his academic journey. Alfonso is deeply involved in activities that enrich his knowledge, having recently completed the PREE H2O program focused on food-water systems and solutions for both agricultural and urban users. His strong will and passion for his career make him a shining example of determination, resilience, and perseverance. Alfonso’s journey from struggling with grades to excelling academically has inspired the entire EPCC CAMP program staff, who admire his commitment and growth.
2024
CAMP Student Champion
Maria Cortes participated in New Mexico State University CAMP. She was born in Guanajuato, Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at the age of seven, settling in the Village of Hatch. Her parents have been farm workers since their youth, continuing their labor in the fields of Hatch. Maria began working in the fields in sixth grade, a commitment she maintains during summers and weekends. High school presented numerous challenges for Maria, including overcoming language barriers and the disruptions caused by the pandemic, which kept her away from in-person classes until her junior year. Despite these obstacles, she developed essential skills in time management, communication, and writing. Through after-school programs, Maria traveled across New Mexico and even represented her school in Washington, D.C. Her desire to attend college is driven by the goal of achieving financial stability for her family.
2024 Call for Nominations
The National HEPCAMP Association is calling for nominations of students to be recognized for their stories of dedication and performance.
CFP - Student Champion Award
Eligibility Criteria
01
Students must have been enrolled in a HEP or CAMP project during the 2023-2024 fiscal year (07/01, 2023 - 06/30/2024.
02
Students with documented achievements who have overcome personal and/or academic obstacles, or have demonstrated leadership qualities within their HEP or CAMP project.
03
Submit online nomination by Monday, August 19, 2024.
Other Important Info
Nomination Requirements
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The student's full name, photo and brief biography must accompany the nomination.
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A statement describing the reason for the nomination, addressing how the nominee fits the eligibility criteria listed above (200-400 words).
Awards
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The Committee will award one (1) HEP and one (1) CAMP Student Champion.
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Winners will be tentatively announced by August 30, 2024.
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Winners will be recognized at the 2024 National HEPCAMP Conference with their names, picture, and biography included in the conference program.
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The Association will provide the winner with a $1000 scholarship/stipend.
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If a nominee is selected as a winner for the HEPCAMP Champion Award and is unable to attend the conference, the student should plan on recording a 2-3 minute video to be played at the conference.