North Central recently mailed letters to principals and guidance counselors at area high schools, announcing its Will Hall Sullivan Senior Award, which is given each year to graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated exceptional qualities of leadership, as well as school and community involvement.

Administration from nine high schools with students in the NCTC service area have been asked to present the award criteria to their faculty and ask them to nominate up to six students who have excelled in community activities, leadership roles, and who have displayed outstanding character traits such as honesty, dependability, and a willingness to help others. From the list complied by the faculty, a senior student from each school will be selected through a majority vote by the senior class.

“It is important for us as a cooperative to honor students who not only meet the academic requirements for this award, but also work hard for and with others,” said Nancy J. White, NCTC’s president and CEO. “Therefore, we encourage the faculty to consider students who might not otherwise be recognized for their extracurricular endeavors, and whose work outside the classroom has bettered the community and the school.”

One student from each of the area high schools will be chosen for the Will Hall Sullivan Senior Award and a $1,000 endowment scholarship which can be used toward further education at the student’s choice of either a college or vocational education center. The student must also plan to pursue a career in math, science, or technology. Each Will Hall Sullivan award winner will also be eligible for an additional $2,500 scholarship from the Foundation for Rural Service as NCTC’s nominee.

“The Will Hall Sullivan Senior Award is part of our commitment to supporting and nourishing academic achievement and community contribution among our youth,” White said. “Over the years, many of the Will Hall Sullivan Senior Award winners have come back to our local communities and become strong, contributing citizens, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Each school must submit their nominations to any NCTC business office by February 5, 2013.