Outstanding Young Man, Young Woman of the Year Award: Applications are now being accepted for the City of Phoenix Outstanding Young Man, Young Woman of the Year Award. One young man and one young woman will be selected from each of the eight Council districts in the City of Phoenix based on their achievements and contributions to their communities, and two overall winners will also be selected. Council district winners will receive $250 and the overall winners will receive $2000 plus two round trip airline tickets from Southwest Airlines. The deadline to apply is November 19th. For more information and the application, visit our website.

know99 Television Stories' surfs its way to web! You can now watch our most currently produced stories online at phoenix.gov/know99. These stories feature the positive things surrounding youth and education in our Phoenix community. Go there now to learn more, and click on 99 Stories to watch!

Youth Leadership Institute/Latinas Vote!: The Hispanic Women's Corporation is hosting a series of workshops for up to 400 junior and senior females. In addition, Chicanos Por La Causa will be a civic engagement initiative for youth in an effort to register youth voters in the latino community. The event is scheduled on October 9, 2008 with a deadline of October 1 and is accepting students from across the valley. To reserve a seat, email HWCYouth@yahoo.com or visit the website.

Arizona Preparedness Month Poster Contest: The Arizona Department of Health Services and Arizona Division of Emergency Management is reaching out to students with a poster contest and educator's toolkit. The contest is open to students in grades K - 6 and the deadline is September 26, 2008. Prizes will be awarded to top artists. Visit az211.gov for contest rules and ideas.

Free Constitution Day Activity Kit: Elementary school children, ages 8 to 12, define for themselves who "We the People" are in a compelling call-and-response song integrated with a preamble oratory. The best part is it can easily be workshopped into your classroom with impressive results. For your free "We the People" Constitution Day Activity Kit by Talking Hands Talking Feet, visit www.constitution-activity.com or contact Melanie Zier at 505-982-2120 or melanie@TalkingHandsTalkingFeet.com.

Principal for a Day: The Annual Phoenix Principal for a Day is a one-day event scheduled from November 17 – 19. The program is sponsored by Merrill Lynch, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Valley Leadership, the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and the Phoenix Youth and Education Commission. The goal is to give business and community leaders the opportunity to gain an inside look at being a school principal. If you would like to host a business or community leader, please let us know by filling out the registration form online or call 602-495-0314 for more information. The event will also be followed by a luncheon hosted by Merrill Lynch on Thursday, November 20 at the Arizona Biltmore.

Y Fest 2008: New Global Citizens is hosting Y Fest, a festival devoted to raising awareness and celebrating the Y generation's power to change the world. The event will take place on Saturday September 6th, 2008, 11 AM to 2 PM at Tempe Marketplace, 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy. For more information, contact yfest@newglobalcitizens.org or visit their website.

M&I Bank Scholarships: M&I Bank is now accepting scholarship applications from high school seniors talented in academics and athletics. Ten $500 scholarships and one $5000 scholarship will be awarded. Applications are available at all M&I Bank branches and should be submitted by October 25th. For more information, call Carey Allen at (480) 558-6383.

Youth Video Contest: The Children's Action Alliance is holding a youth video contest about what Arizona leaders can do to make sure every child succeeds. Awards are being offered for the winners, including a $500 and two $250 prizes. Videos should be submitted in DVD format to 4001 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85012 by September 22, 2008.

The National College Fair: The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting the National College Fair at the Phoenix Civic Plaza on September 14th from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. Over 225 colleges will be present and breakout sessions will cover topics such as how to pay for college, writing scholarship/admission essays, applying to selective institutions and many more! For registration information or general information, contact Ryan Burton-Romero at 520-621-7524 or rbr13@arizona.edu.

Best Buy Awards for Interactive te@ch Programs: The Best Buy te@ch program rewards schools for successful interactive programs they have launched with available technology. Winning te@ch programs focus on kids using technology to learn a standards-based curriculum, rather than on teaching students to use technology or educators using technology that children aren't able to use hands-on. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: Accredited K-12 public, private, parochial, and nonprofit charter schools in the United States. Deadline: October 12, 2008.

National Schools of Character Awards: The National Schools of Character Awards program identifies exemplary schools and districts to serve as models for others and helps schools and districts improve their efforts in effective character education. Maximum Award: $2,000. Eligibility: To be eligible, a school must have been engaged in character education for a minimum of three full years, starting no later than December 2006 for the 2009 awards. Districts need to have been engaged in character education for a minimum of four full years, starting no later than December 2005. Smaller administrative units that maintain a separate identity within a large district may apply in the district category -- for example, a school pyramid or cluster. Deadline: Dec. 8, 2008.

Sparky's School Tour: ASU's Sparky mascot will be visiting schools for a recess, pep rally or assembly during the 2008-09 school year. The opportunity is available for schools with grades eight and below between 11:00am and 2:00pm. Visit www.sundevilcentral.com/kidszone/sparkystour.html for more information.

Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education: The Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education honors outstanding educators who excite a commitment in their students to the free enterprise system and unleash the entrepreneurial skills of their students at the elementary, junior high school, high school and college level. Maximum Award: $7,500. Eligibility: teachers at K-12 schools, colleges and universities. Deadline: October 1, 2008. http://www.ffvf.org/leavey_info.asp

Mini-grants for Public Schools and Public Libraries: Ezra Jack Keats Mini-grant Program for Public Schools and Public Libraries supports educators, parents and children in their efforts to spread literacy and love of learning. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: public schools and libraries anywhere in the United States and its protectorates. Deadline: September 15, 2008. For more information: http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/programs/minigrant.html.

Water Issues for Teachers: Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) classes are Arizona specific and correlated to state standards in all curricular areas, including science, language arts, math and social studies. Teachers of all grade levels are welcome to attend the workshops, which can go toward advanced training credits in most school districts. Visit cals.arizona.edu/arizonawet or call 602-470-8086 for more information.

Books Across America: The National Education Association's Books Across America Library Books Awards Program enables public school libraries serving economically disadvantaged students to purchase books. Maximum Award: $1,000. Eligibility: Practicing pre-kindergarten through grade 12 school librarians, teachers, or education support professionals in a U.S. public school in which at least 70 percent of the students are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. Deadline: November 7, 2008. For more information, please visit www.neafoundation.org.

U.S. Soccer Federation: Grants for Soccer Programs: U.S. Soccer Federation Grants provide funding for programs that develop players, referees, and coaches through programs, field enhancements, or the Foundation's All Conditions Fields Program, with special emphasis on the economically disadvantaged in urban areas. Maximum award: varies. Eligibility: anyone with a soccer-specific program or project that benefits a nonprofit purpose and meets the established focus for the 2009 grant cycle. Deadline: September 15, 2008.

TASH/Wal-Mart: Inclusive Education Awards: The TASH/Wal-Mart Breakthroughs in Inclusive Education Awards honor contributions of individuals and school districts in advancing inclusive education and equitable opportunities for students in grades K-12, particularly those with significant disabilities and support needs. Maximum award: recognition; a library of books about inclusive best practices from Brookes Publishing. Eligibility: school districts and education professionals that work inclusively with K-12 students with disabilities. Deadline: September 20, 2008.

Dollar General: Youth Literacy Grants: Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants help schools and local nonprofit organizations implement or expand literacy programs for new readers, below-grade-level readers, and readers with learning disabilities. Maximum award: $3,000. Eligibility: schools must be within 20 miles of the nearest Dollar General Store.Deadline: September 24, 2008.

Freedoms Foundation: Awards in Private Enterprise Education: The Freedoms Foundation's Leavey Awards for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education honor outstanding educators who excite a commitment in their students to the free enterprise system and unleash the entrepreneurial skills of their students at the elementary, junior high school, high school, and college level. Maximum award: $7,500. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents employed full time as educators at an accredited American school (grades K-12), college, or university.Deadline: October 1, 2008.

Siemens Foundation: Math, Science, & Technology Awards: The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology recognizes remarkable talent early on, fostering individual growth for high school students who are willing to challenge themselves through science research.Maximum award: $100,000. Eligibility: US high school students. Deadline: October 1, 2008.

Toshiba America Foundation: Grants for Science and Math Education: Toshiba America Foundation Education Grants contribute to the quality of science and mathematics education in U.S. communities by investing in projects designed by classroom teachers to improve science and mathematics education. Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: K-12 teachers in public or private (nonprofit) schools. Deadline: October 1, 2008.

Deborah Dillon
Director