GCHS senior up for award

Grand County High School senior Brendon Henderson is one of 10 finalists for the Utah Young Humanitarian Award. Of the 10 finalists, Henderson is one of only two who is a high school student.

“Many of us volunteer, but (Henderson) has dedicated his life to humanitarianism, and is receiving recognition for his outstanding service,” according to a press release. “He may even win a $5,000 scholarship for his commitment to giving back.”

The Utah Young Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the service-leadership nonprofit Youthlinc, is the largest service-based scholarship in Utah. Each year, the award is given to students who are dedicated to service. Funding for these scholarships comes from the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.

“Our judges look at a wide range of students and focus on those dedicated to a special interest of service, rather than GPA or financial need,” said Miriam Barth, Youthlinc’s International Service director.

Out of this year’s 117 applicants, Henderson is one of 10 finalists for the 2014 scholarship. Youthlinc executive director Judy Zone said she believes this is a particularly important award because “it celebrates young people who excel at giving back in their community, in hopes of inspiring more youth to volunteer.”

Henderson has been active in Student Government, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, among other prestigious high school clubs. In a speech at the high school, he shared his personal account of bullying and attempted suicide.

After his speech, many other students shared with Henderson their struggles and contemplations of suicide. After hearing these stories, Henderson organized an anti-bullying campaign called “Rise Above It”.

During the campaign, there was a school-wide assembly where students shared their stories of bullying and contemplation of suicide. After the assembly, Henderson reflected on this experience by saying, “’Rise Above It’ truly taught me that it is possible to make an impact and achieve a goal if you’re determined and have a great group of people who all share the same interest for the greater good.”

The winner of the Utah Young Humanitarian Awards will be announced at a banquet on Saturday, May 17 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in Salt Lake City.

Henderson one of two high-schoolers in the running for Young Humanitarian Award

“Our judges look at a wide range of students and focus on those dedicated to a special interest of service, rather than GPA or financial need,”