We are happy to announce the winners of the first of three Youth Forward Scholarship Contests for the year 2017. Before doing do so, we wanted to thank everyone that participated in the contest. 
The essays were very inspiring and honestly it was very difficult to choose a winner. Each and everyone of you that dedicated your time for the upliftment of this world, in whatever form or function that might be, is truly a winner. And thank you for that. Just as we thank our soldiers for protecting our country by serving in the military, your efforts are to also be applauded. Because you are choosing to make a difference in this world through acts of love and peace in order that the world be a more just place to live in. And it is your generation that will be responsible for making decisions for this world soon. And those decisions which are made with a caring, loving, and giving heart are what will save our world from all the challenges we currently face. And we face many challenges, as you all know. But in deciding to not sit by idly but to actually make a difference through our efforts, I am certain we will overcome them. You are all testament to that. So thanks again for all your submissions and truly great stories of how you are choosing to make a difference in the world.
For the highest vote count and most shared essay the winner is Alden Liang. Good work Alden! Alden had a winning essay through most shares in the previous contest. Going forward, to be fair to all entrants, a winner of a previous essay contest can not submit a new essay to enter into subsequent contests. Great work none the less Alden of your community volunteer work!
https://www.dmvedu.org/youth-forward-scholarship-winter-2016-a-rewarding-experience/?filter
For the Staff Favorite, and second most shared essay, Maria Keller, “Changing The World One Book At a Time”.
https://www.dmvedu.org/youth-forward-scholarship-winter-2016-changing-the-world-one-book-at-a-time/?filter
Maria has collected and donated over two million books in 2016. The books were then redistributed to schools and organizations and made available to their student body.
Great job to the both of you and congratulations!
Ideally there would be no need for scholarship contests, and each and every citizen would be assured a free college education.
As you know, a high school degree does not go too far these days, and to limit one’s access to education and their God given potential because of a lack of resources should not be what we as a country stand for. So, this is also up to you — to declare that you wish for college tuition be granted as a right and not just an option for some, but a right for all. I do hope you will get involved in bringing about this change. Bless you all.
