Scholarship Competitions
Scholarship competitions are a great way for you to practice your leadership skills, learn about yourself, and earn money for college. If you have never participated in this type of competition before, don’t be shy! Many of your fellow students will be competing for the first time, too. You can participate in as many competitions as you like.
Speech Competition
How does the speech competition work?
There is a preliminary and final competition at the HYI Kick-Off. You prepare a speech based on one of the topics below. You will go into a room with speech competition judges (usually 3-5 people) and present your speech. Only you and the judges will be in the room, so you will not be giving your speech in front of anyone else. After you give your speech, you will leave the room and wait outside. The judges will be writing down comments and scoring your speech. You will be given a notecard with comments from the judges before leaving the speech competition area.
The next day after all the judges scores have been added up, you will be told whether or not you made it into the final competition. You will give the same speech as in the preliminary competition, but you can take the judges’ comments into account and will be given a little more time to present.
What do I win?
You win scholarships for college! The first place winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, the second place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, and the third place winner receives a $500 scholarship. Winners are announced at closing ceremonies.
What are the speech topics?
You will be asked to give a speech based on one of the three short answer questions in the application (these are the only topics allowed):
• Tell us about a person you admire and why you look up to him or her
• Tell us about a time when you helped your family, an individual, a group, or your community
• Tell us about a time that you overcame a challenge
In what language can I give my speech?
You can present your speech in either English or Spanish.
How long should my speech be?
Your speech should be 3.5 minutes. If you go over the 3.5 minute time limit, your speech score will be lowered based on the amount of time you went over. You will be cut off by the judges at 5 minutes and will not be allowed to continue.
In the final speech competition, your same speech can be up to 5 minutes. If you go over the 5 minute time limit, your speech score will be lowered based on the amount of time you went over. You will be cut off by the judges at 6.5 minutes.
You can ask the judges to give you a one-minute warning.
Who will listen to my speech?
You will only be presenting in front of the judges. You will not be required to speak in front of anyone else. It is just you talking to 3 – 5 people in a room.
How will my speech be judged?
Your speech will be judge on five criteria: content, organization and analysis, vocal delivery, physical delivery, and overall effective communication.
You will not be judged on your dress. Physical delivery means things like shifting your weight from side to side, playing with your hair, fidgeting, and other hand movements. You will not have a chance to change before you give your speech so do not worry about what you are wearing.
How do I sign up for the speech competition?
Check off the box that you are interested in the speech competition now in the application.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be given an opportunity to pre-register for the competition.
If you do not pre-register and there are spaces still available in the competition, you can sign up on the first day of the program. We really recommend signing up beforehand to secure your spot though!
Art Competition
How does the competition work?
There is a preliminary and final art competition. When you get on campus for the program, you drop off your art. Your art pieces will be displayed on tables and easels. The art pieces will be on display exactly the way you give them to us, so we recommended that you frame your art (for drawings and paintings) or have your pieces in a nicely presentable condition. They also will be moved around so we recommend having your pieces in a way that they can be carried easily.
Preliminary judges score all of the art work and select the final art pieces. Only your art participates in the preliminary competition. Other than dropping off your art, you do not need to do anything else for the preliminary competition.
You will be notified if you make it into the final art competition. Should you make it to the finals, you will have a short interview with the judges to talk about your pieces and interest in art.
What do I win?
You win scholarships for college! The first place winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, the second place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, and the third place winner receives a $500 scholarship. Winners are announced at closing ceremonies.
How many pieces can I enter?
You can enter up to two pieces of art in the competition. Label the back of your piece(s) with your name, title of piece, and medium or materials used to make it.
You are responsible for picking up your art pieces after the competition and taking them home with you.
What type of art can be entered in the competition?
Artwork will be accepted from the following areas: pastels, oils, sculpture, charcoals, watercolors, pottery, photography, other media (i.e. printmaking, mixed media). Films are not permitted.
Art must be made by you. Judges may ask you about your work.
If your art is a copy of another piece of art, add that information to your label (see above for information on additional itesm that go on the label(s) of your art piece(s).
All entries must be acceptable for viewing by all ages. Inappropriate artwork not be allowed (i.e. no nudity or gang-related material.)
You are responsible for bringing your artwork to the HYI Kick-Off, dropping it off at registration, and collecting it at the end of the HYI Kick-Off.
How will my art be judged?
Judges will use the Art Competition Score Sheet to evaluate each art piece on originality, technique, and overall presentation:
Originality:
• Reflected in subject matter
• Reflected in use of materials
• Reflected in unique or challenging perspective
Technique:
• Demonstrated skill in use of materials
Overall Presentation:
• Creates esthetically pleasing or challenging composition
• Creates clear visual statement
How do I sign up for the art competition?
Check off the box that you are interested in the art competition now in the application.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be given an opportunity to pre-register for the competition.
In some regions if you do not pre-register and there are spaces still available in the competition, you can sign up on the first day of the program. We really recommend signing up beforehand to secure your spot though! You can check with your regional director or RA about on-site registration in your region.
Talent Competition
How does the competition work?
On the first night of the program, you will compete in the talent competition tryouts. You will perform your talent with your costume or other props that you bring. You will be notified the next day if you made it into the final competition. On the last night of the program, finalists perform their talent in front of the judges and all of the HYI participants. You will have time to practice your act during rehearsal two hours prior to the show.
What do I win?
You win scholarships for college! The first place winner receives a $2,000 scholarship, the second place winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, and the third place winner receives a $500 scholarship. Winners are announced at closing ceremonies.
Can I compete in multiple acts?
No, you can only compete in one act.
Can I compete with someone else?
Yes, you can enter as a group act. All participants in the group must be attending the program. If you win a scholarship award, the scholarship will be divided evenly among the people in your group.
How long can my act be?
You have a maximum of 7 minutes to complete the performance. The time limit does not include introduction by the Master/Mistress of Ceremonies. Five points will be deducted from the score for each 15 seconds beyond the seven-minute limit.
Depending on the number of competitors, you may have only 3 minutes to compete during the talent competition tryouts.
How will my act be judged?
Your act will be judged based on the follow criteria:
Stage Presence
• As exhibited in entrance and exit
• As exhibited in contact with audience
Performance
• Originality of choreography, perspective or talent
Execution
• Level of proficiency or skill
• Level of ease in performing before an audience
Audience Reaction
• Interest, enjoyment, and rapport
• Applause meter
How do I sign up for the talent competition?
Check off the box that you are interested in the talent competition now in the application.
If you are accepted into the program, you will be given an opportunity to register for the competition and submit a form about your act. You must pre-register for the talent competition to participate.