Youth Award Winners

NEED encourages all students and classrooms to get involved in energy outreach. 

By doing so, students take ownership of their learning, are able to show confidence in their knowledge gains, and become leaders in the classroom. NEED’s annual Youth Awards Program for Energy Achievement rewards students for their efforts in energy outreach and student leadership. 

 National Award Winner

 State Award Winner

 Outstanding Project Recognition

Year

State

School Level

2026 Senior VA
Gate City High School
Gate City, VA

Gate City High School 4-H Energy Project

Project Advisors

Dawn Williams, Donna Rowlett, Kasey Fioramonti

Awards

View Project
2026 Senior TX
O'Connell College Preparatory School
Galveston, TX

Rooted in Sustainability

Project Advisors

Nina Corley

Student Advisors

Jordan Romero, Paige Gidney, Anya Rojos

Awards

View Project
2026 Elementary PA
Afton Elementary School
Yardley, PA

Afton Elementary’s Energy Journey

Project Advisors

Kristin Slota

Student Advisors

Ellie Behme, Emme Gallagher, Emily Leahy

Awards

View Project
2026 Senior NC
Southern Guilford High School
Greensboro, NC

Work Harder? Nope. Work Smarter

Project Advisors

Mark Case

Student Advisors

Vanessa Herbin, Leslie Gutierrez

Awards

View Project
2026 Primary NC
Salem Elementary School
Morganton, NC

Clean Energy Activities & Community Project

Project Advisors

Jamie Dale

Awards

View Project
2026 Elementary NC
Irving Park Elementary School
Greensboro, NC

Changing Our World

Project Advisors

Tracee Weathersby

Student Advisors

Lola McDonald, Warner Sherouse

Awards

View Project
2026 Junior NY
APW Jr/Sr High School
Parish, NY

Carnival of Energy

Project Advisors

Jessica Halsey

Student Advisors

Nicholas VanPatten, Joe Steele, Lillian Horning, Kristyn Klaisle, Levi Balcom, McKenna McEwen

Awards

View Project
2026 Junior NE
Hanny Arram Center for Success
Kearney, NE

Importance of Energy Awareness in the U.S.

Project Advisors

Talisha Sorenson

Student Advisors

Abby Casey

Awards

View Project
2026 Junior MA
Sharon Middle School
Sharon, MA

Silent Energy Leak, Loud Carbon Emissions

Project Advisors

Micky Foley

Student Advisors

Vrinda Pardeshi

Awards

View Project
2026 Junior MD
Martin Luther King Jr Middle School
Beltsville, MD

Green Genius: Leading Renewable Change Through Student Innovation? An Integrated Approach to STEM, Sustainability, and Community Impact

Project Advisors

Elaine Ramos

Awards

View Project
2026 Elementary MD
Northview Elementary School
Bowie, MD

We Are Energy Receivers and Advocates: We’ve Got This!

Project Advisors

Adebisi Babayemi

Student Advisors

Lovely Hill, Joshua Wade

Awards

View Project
2026 Junior LA
St. Margaret Catholic School
Lake Charles, LA

Recycling for a Good Earth

Project Advisors

Judy Reeves

Awards

View Project