Youth Recognition Programs

Youth Mentor's Hall of Fame
The Youth Mentor's Hall of Fame is held in conjunction with the "Salute to Youth Night/Youth Hall of Fame" Awards Program for the purpose of honoring unsung heroes that are community minded citizens and organizations which provide services or voluntary skills and energies in areas that greatly contribute to the welfare and vitality of the youth of our community.

As an organization totally committed to the advancement of youth, Youth Focus, Inc., is proud to sponsor this prestigious event where these unsung heroes can been recognized and rewarded for their contribution and service to youth. The purpose of the "Youth Mentor's Hail of Fame" Awards Program is to recognize the meritorious contributions made by men and women of our community as well as organizations who as a result of their efforts enhance the quality of life for youth.

It is the belief of Youth Focus, Inc., that by recognizing individuals and organizations who serve our youth in such a meritorious manner on an annual basis that it will serve to foster and stimulate a greater commitment to youth service in our community. Often behind the scenes, such hard working individuals are catalysts in stimulating and motivating youth to higher levels of accomplishment and achievement which has a long term positive impact upon their lives.

Personal Development Programs with Scholarship Rewards

Participation in these programs is a rich and rewarding experience for young people to broaden their involvement in community service and to strengthen their leadership skills through competitive participation.

The Youth Accolades Scholarship Competitions are dynamic educational programs providing opportunity for young men and women to expand their quest for knowledge and acquire skills to better equip them for future opportunities. Through their participation they gain a greater insight and understanding of the true meaning of community service and the value of serving others.

Certainly it is an opportunity for young men and women to explore new and enriching experiences through a self-development curriculum which enhances their self-image and gives them a strong sense of self-worth relative to their innate skills and abilities.

Most importantly, participants have the opportunity to identify and develop their leadership skills resulting in a greater sense of awareness relative to their potential in serving their community through key leadership roles.

For the new "Young People of Achievement" chosen to represent each program, it is an exciting twelve months as they begin a busy and active year of community service. Their year of service is a time of personal growth and educational opportunity filled with invaluable experiences as they represent the youth of our county and state at community functions. This year of service allows them to learn to effectively enhance their interpersonal and leadership skills while interacting with community leaders and the general public.

The California State Youth Accolades Scholarship Competition
As one of the states' most prestigious youth competitions, this program provides for the selection of California's Young Man and Young Woman of Achievement representing the California State Fair, the California Fair Industry and the youth of California. The program awards some $15,000.00 in educational scholarships to young men and women of accomplishment throughout the state of California who participate annually in the competition. This program is sponsored in cooperation with the California State Fair.

The California State Junior and Teen Accolades Scholarship Program
The Junior and Teen Accolades Competition is a dynamic educational program providing opportunity for youth to expand their quest for knowledge and acquire skills to better equip them for future opportunities. As community service is the focal point of the program, it is an opportunity to gain a better insight and understanding of the true meaning of community service and the value of serving others. Most importantly, participants have the opportunity to identify and develop their leadership skills resulting in a greater sense of awareness relative to their potential in serving their community. The program awards some $2,000.00 in educational scholarships. Click here for 2008 application form (PDF file - 258KB).

Youth Talent Competitions

Further, the competitions were formed to encourage young performers from within the county as well as the state to continue developing their talents and to give them the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities through self-competition, which will expand their performing arts skill to greater heights.

This type of competition gives each young performer an added reason and purpose for the continuation of their respective studies, an incentive to continue to work at perfecting their talents and serves as an outlet to show their fine abilities to their friends, parents and the community at large.

More than 5,000 young people participate in these award programs each year.

The Western Regional California State Talent and Performing Arts Competition
The California State Talent Competition is the state's largest, oldest and most prestigious youth talent competition hosting some 3,000 young people performing in hundreds of acts over Memorial Day weekend. This program offers some $5,000.00 in talent scholarships to some of California's most talented youth.

California State Spring Talent Fest
Top-notch vocal and instrumental performances find their reward in this performing arts showcase. Some 300 young people are recognized for their hard work and dedication in the development of their talents with numerous awards being presented to competitors in recognition of excellence. It is traditionally held each year in FebruaryMarch time frame. Click here for 2008 application form (PDF file - 257KB).

The Greater Bay Area Talent Competition
This event is the county's largest and most prestigious youth talent competition providing hundreds of trophy awards to over 300 youth. It is traditionally held each year the first weekend in November.

Southern California Talent and Performing Arts Competition
The Southern California Talent and Performing Arts Competition is held in the Southern California Area and is another wonderful opportunity for young people to showcase their talents in the arts. This program allows young people to grow and to hone their skills in the performing arts with numerous awards being presented to competitors in recognition of excellence.

Oregon State Fall Talent Fest
Talented youth gather together each fall to show case their talents and to develop their skills in the performing arts. This event serves as a development springboard to the Annual Oregon State Talent and Performing Arts Competition where young people have the opportunity to grow in perfecting their art form for the statewide spring competition. Numerous awards are presented to competitors in recognition of excellence in perfecting their art form.

Oregon State Talent and Performing Arts Competition
This event is one of Oregon States most prestigious youth events allowing young people of accomplishment in the Performing and Dance Arts to showcase their talents. Young people from all over the state gather to receive numerous awards and to garner Grand Champion placements. It is traditionally held each year in the early spring.

Performing Arts Programs