The Humane Youth Award recognizes inspiring youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who are making a positive impact on the lives of animals in their community.

The award is a recognized honor for a young person who has both personally, and through the inspired efforts of others, raised awareness for and helped create a more peaceful life for people, animals and the environment.

The Selection Process

Nominations will be accepted July 14th, 2025 through August 23rd, 2025 at 4pm. All nominations must be submitted electronically using our nomination form. All nominees will receive communication regarding their nomination status and winners will be notified by August 29th, 2025 via emial. We’re sorry – we are not able to consider incomplete submissions.

All youth are encouraged to apply and the following criteria will be a guide for us when considering submissions.

  • Whether the nominee’s work is directly helping animals within Washtenaw County, Plymouth or the City of Northville
  • Number of animals helped
  • Sustainability of the project
  • Length (time wise) that the project has been occurring
  • Uniqueness

Guidelines

  1. Please submit your entry electronically by August 23rd at 4pm. We’re sorry –  late submissions are not able to be considered.
  2. This award is open to all youth ages 12-17 that reside in Washtenaw County, Plymouth or the City of Northville. Those on HSHV’s Junior Volunteer team who live outside of these areas are also welcome to apply.
  3. We ask that applicants are willing to  have their photo, work and/or name used in recognition/marketing activities (such as press releases, on the website, etc.) and the parent/guardian must agree to a marketing release form, which is provided in the application.
  4. Work must be original.
  5. Please limit entries to one per nominee.

Awards

One Humane Youth Award winner as well as a first and second runner-up will be selected. Awards are as follows:

Winner

  • Complimentary attendance for the winner and a guest and formal recognition at HSHV’s annual Compassionate Feast gala on October 24th, 2025.
  • Humane Youth Award plaque
  • Inclusion in marketing opportunities and press releases
  • Photo session with HSHV’s staff photographer (to be scheduled later)

First and Second Runners-Up

  • Humane Youth Award plaque
  • Inclusion in marketing opportunities and press releases
  • Photo session with HSHV’s staff photographer to be scheduled later
Humane Youth Award Nomination

Humane Youth Award Nomination

Your Nominee

Nominee's Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Parent/Guardian Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Country

Your Information

The Nomination


Provide as much information and as many specific examples as possible. Examples might include: overcoming physical, emotional, or other challenges; providing positive leadership and role modeling for other youth; positive changes in the lives of specific animals; and community involvement. While we encourage you to keep your description to around 1000 words, nominations with very brief or incomplete information may not be given as much consideration as thorough nominations.


Work Samples

Maximum file size: 134.22MB

If you have issues with this forms or questions, please contact humaneed@hshv.org. Thank you!
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Meet the 2024 winners

Clara

Clara Peikert, 17, was the winner of the 2024 Humane Youth Award!  Clara is an animal advocate who has dedicated over 100 hours of volunteer service to HSHV.  As a Junior Volunteer she has spent time enriching the lives of the cats, dogs, and small mammals that temporarily call HSHV home.  Additionally, Clara has been a top fundraiser for HSHV’s Walk and Wag event and acted as a leader in our Camp Paws program.  But Clara’s care for animals doesn’t stop with cuddly mammals!  She also helped rescue a garter snake trapped in garden netting and transported an injured duck to a bird sanctuary.  HSHV was very proud to name Clara as the winner of the Humane Youth Award!

Sydney

Sydney Bennett, 15, was the 2024 Humane Youth Award 1st runner up.  Sydney started as a Junior Volunteer three years ago and has already volunteered over 200 hours with HSHV!  In her time as a JV, she has helped all kinds of animals, from large dogs to small guinea pigs.  Sydney has also contributed many hours helping in HSHV’s youth programs like Camp Paws and Pets and PJs.  Perhaps most impressively, Sydney independently planned and executed a successful bake sale to raise money for Walk and Wag.  We commend Sydney for her dedication to improving the lives of animals!

Davina

Davina Seth, 17, was the 2024 Humane Youth Award 2nd runner up.  Davina has been volunteering at HSHV since the age of 12 and has contributed over 90 hours of volunteer service.  During the pandemic, when in-shelter volunteering was limited, Davina still wanted to find a way to help animals in need.  She convinced her family to become foster parents and has since been dedicated to fostering litters of orphaned kittens who require bottle feeding.  Davina also thinks about the welfare of animals while eating; she has been a vegetarian for over 5 years!  We thank Davina for her devotion to animals!

Honorable Mention:

  • Lula Cook
  • Aniya Lewis
  • Megan Ohm
  • Megan Peng