Best and Brightest 2026

The PA Media Group’s Best and Brightest program honors 20 high school seniors each year who represent the potential of their class.

Best and Brightest 2026 will be our 34th year of honoring exceptional students who excel in academics, service to school and community and extracurricular activities.

Seniors must attend a public or independent high school or be home-schooled or attend cyber school in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry or York counties.

Local residents attending schools in other counties or states are not eligible.

Contact Deb Kiner with questions at dkiner@pennlive.com or 717-257-4749.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026.

Name*

First NameLast Name

Date of birth*

Date

Home address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

Phone Number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Email*

example@example.com

Borough/township where you live*

Name of parents or guardians (indicate which)*

Parents or guardians' phone number*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Parents or guardians' email address*

example@example.com

School*

HONORS: Briefly describe scholastic, community, athletic, work-related or personal distinctions or honors you have received *

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: List your extracurricular activities, community, volunteer or family activities and interests in order of their importance to you. Include specific events and/or major accomplishments, including grade you were in at the time.*

ACADEMIC: Cumulative GPA, SAT scores, ACT scores, class rank if known*

MENTOR: Provide the full name and contact information of the person who has had the most influence on you and why (Someone you know personally, but not a relative.) Please limit this to 200 words.*

0/200

WORK EXPERIENCE: List any jobs you have had in the last three years – nature of work, employer, dates of employment and how many hours you work in a week.*

PLANS: Note your plans beyond high school, what college you will attend, etc. *

In 500 words or fewer, explain how you made a difference in your community and/or school and how that experience will help you contribute to a better society. Please note any special challenges you have overcome. Excerpts from your essay may be published.

The use of artificial intelligence is not allowed. Any essay where AI is found to be used for any portion will be disqualified. You will not be allowed to fill out the essay until you acknowledge this.

Please submit your essay here.*

0/500

RECOMMENDATIONS: Please provide two letters of recommendation of 300 words or fewer – one from a teacher, coach, counselor or principal at your school and the other from someone outside of school that is not a relative or a peer. Those writing the recommendations should be told to include how they know the applicant and discuss the student’s contribution to school and community, intellectual promise, ability to overcome obstacles, leadership potential and special talents. List your title, name, address, email and phone number on the letter. Excerpts from recommendations may be published.

If your school requires that recommendation letters be submitted by them, please have your school email those letters to dkiner@pennlive.com.

Upload your recommendation letters here. PDF only, please.

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT

Please double-check to ensure that your form is the way you want it before you submit. If you wish to update your form after you submitted it, please email mheaton@pennlive.com. Do not keep resending the form. If there are duplicates of your entry, we will take the latest version submitted.

ESSAY

BEFORE YOU SUBMIT