University of Illinois' program recognizes high school student innovators

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is looking for ordinary high school students doing extraordinary things.

To recognize and celebrate those students whose contributions are innovative, creative, or inspirational, the University of Illinois announces the second year of their new award program, Celebrating High School Innovators. High school students in Illinois (grades 9-12) who have implemented innovative ideas are encouraged to apply now through November 30, 2015 by completing the online application. Finalists will receive $500 and will be invited to campus to meet other innovators, and present their ideas in spring 2016.

Students may apply under one of the following categories: Arts, Media & Literature; Business Entrepreneurship; Health & Nutrition; Social Entrepreneurship; and Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM).

The Celebrating High School Innovators pilot program has had great success. Governor Bruce Rauner and many high-ranking leaders from the University attended and gave support to the recognition event this past May. The program is also endorsed by several Illinois teachers associations, the regional superintendents of schools, and the Governor’s office, reflects the organizers’ belief that test scores and grade point averages do not tell us every important thing about our students.

“Innovation is critical to the future of Illinois, and we need more people like these exceptional students in every field. These students remind us of what can be accomplished with a good idea and a firm commitment. Their ideas will help shape the world around them, and I look forward to what else they’ll do in the coming years,” said Governor Rauner.

In the first year of the program, students from around the state were recognized in a variety of areas from entrepreneurship to fashion design, and they were awarded with $500 as a result of their innovative achievements. For example, Evan Kaspi, now a graduate of North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, spent his summers doing high level cerebral palsy research at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, an affiliate of Northwestern Hospital. He aided in the creation of a new classification scale to describe the movement of those with CP.

Puja Mittal, a recent graduate of Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora created her own entrepreneurial-based curriculum and implemented it at her school. And, Keaton Keller, who graduated from Prospect High School, is a nationally recognized YouTube Entrepreneur. His self-hosted YouTube channel educates viewers on new technology like smart phones and other mobile devices. (See a full list of the 2014-15 winners.)

“Education is important, but so is motivation, creativity and tenacity,” says Paul Ritter, a White House award-winning teacher at Pontiac Township High School.

“These students are some of the state’s shining examples of these traits. We look forward to recognizing a whole new group of innovative high school students this year,” says Ritter. “We want to keep this kind of talent in Illinois, and showcase the great work happening in innovation here on campus.”
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