2026 La Excelencia Latina Award Application

La Excelencia Latina Award Application

This scholarship/award is directly translated as The Latin Excellence Award and aims to celebrate the achievements of highly gifted students.
Application deadline: May 31, 2025 @ 11:59 pm EST
For questions email Jessica Gutierrez (jgutierrez@nagc.org)

La Excelencia Latina Award Application

Eligible applicants must meet at least three of the following criteria.
Eligibility:
1. Exceptional test score. Be identified as gifted, as demonstrated by nationally standardized intelligence or achievement test scores: comprehensive or subtest score. Within the last 3 years have scored in the top 5% on standardized test scores.
2. Accelerated. Have received either subject acceleration or full grade acceleration. A district/school letter showing evidence of acceleration.
3. Exemplary achievement. Provide evidence of exceptional achievement in any area, i.e. having received an outstanding award, a scholarship, having won a competition usually received/won by a person 1 or more years older than the nominee. Provide a copy or scan of the award letter with an attached statement explaining the exemplary achievement.
4. Early entry or dual enrollment. Have entered high school at age 13 or younger OR college at age 15 or younger.
5. Exemplary school work. Provide a sample of work (PDF link or video) that distinguishes this student from grade level peers in a content area or discipline. Attach a statement explaining exemplary school work.
6. Competition winner. Have achieved local, state, regional, national or international status in an academic or arts competition (e.g. chess, science, mathematics, arts, leadership, forensics, engineering). Provide a copy of the award letter.
7. Other evidence of eligibility. If you believe a student should be nominated for this award but are unsure whether they meet all the requirements, please provide any evidence to support their eligibility, and it will be reviewed and considered as part of the eligibility criteria.
Award Benefit for Recipients:
- Recipients will receive $300 Cash Award
- Complimentary Parent Day registration for up to two parents/guardians at the NAGC Annual Convention in Milwaukee, WI. This will take place Saturday, November 7, 2026.
- One-year Parent Membership with NAGC.
- Award recipients are invited to attend a featured award session at NAGC during the Annual Conference (guest pass covered by NAGC for session).
In order to receive full consideration, all the following materials must be received by the due date provided by NAGC above.

Cover Sheet: Provide personal and school background information (completion of this form will meet this requirement)

Personal Statement: Use Microsoft Word to generate your personal statement, using the following parameters: not to exceed 3 pages, double spaced, Times, 12-point font. Then upload into this application.

Artifacts: Applicants must submit at least 3 artifacts (6 maximum) associated with the different criteria (listed above) to provide evidence of exemplary achievement. The quality, not quantity, of the artifacts is most important.

For non-print artifacts, you may upload a photo image.

Two Nominating Letters of Support from:
1. An educational professional OR other discipline expert (engineer, physician, scientist, artist, attorney, technology professional, journalist, etc.) (1 single-spaced page max)
2. A family member, mentor, civic or faith-based organizational leader (1 single-spaced page max)

Award Category
Applicant First and Last Name*

First NameLast Name
Applicant age, as of March 1, 2026*
Applicant Grade Level, Spring 2026*
Applicant Gender*
Applicant Pronouns Used*
Applicant Email Address*
example@example.com
Applicant Phone Number (or Parent/Guardian if applicable)*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Applicant's Race/Ethnicity
Applicants future career goals or field of interest
Current Mailing Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code

Cover Sheet
Parent/Guardian Information:
Parent/Guardian Name #1*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian email #1*
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian phone number #1*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Parent/Guardian Name #2

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian email #2
example@example.com
Parent/Guardian phone number #2
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
School Information:
School District*
School Name*
Principal's Name*

First NameLast Name
Principal's Email Address*
example@example.com
Nominator(s):

List Names, titles, and affiliations of persons nominating student
Nominator #1 Name*

First NameLast Name
Nominator #1 Email Address*
example@example.com
Nominator #1 Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator #1 Title/Affiliation*
Nominator #1 Relationship to Student*
Nominator #2 Name

First NameLast Name
Nominator #2 Email
example@example.com
Nominator #2 Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Nominator #2 Title/Affiliation
Nominator #2 Relationship to Student

Personal Statement
Use Microsoft Word not to exceed 3 pages, double spaced, Times New Roman, 12-point font.*

Cancelof

Artifacts
Artifact 1 description of content and significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Artifact #1 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Artifact 2 description of content and significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Artifact #2 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Artifact 3 description of content and significance*
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Artifact #3 Upload*

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Artifact 4 description of content and significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Optional: Artifact #4 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Artifact 5 description of content and significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Optional: Artifact #5 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof
YesNo

Artifact 6 description of content and significance
50 words max
Exceptional Test ScoreAcceleratedExemplary AchievementEarly Entrance or Dual EnrollmentExemplary School WorkCompetition WinnerOther
Optional: Artifact #6 Upload

Be sure to include your Last Name in the file name
Cancelof

Two Nominating Letters of Support
Letter of Support #1 - Educational professional OR other discipline expert (engineer, physician, scientist, artist, attorney, technology professional, journalist, etc.)*

First NameLast Name
Role/Job Title*
Organization*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Letter of Support #1*

Cancelof
Letter of Support #2 - Family member, mentor, civic or faith-based organization leader*

First NameLast Name
Role/Job Title*
Organization*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Upload Letter of Support #2*

Cancelof

PHOTOGRAPHIC CONSENT RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

I understand that all photographs submitted with my application or taken at the NAGC conference may be used in any NAGC publications, including it sub-committees, for marketing or in a public relations nature, such as newsletters, brochures, promotional items, websites or other such material.

I hereby grant NAGC, and those acting under its permission or upon its authority, the free right and permission to use my likeness in photograph(s)/video in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing, controlled by NAGC, in perpetuity, and for other use by the NAGC. I will make no monetary or other claim against NAGC for the use of the photograph(s)/video.
Applicants Digital Signature*
Parent/Guardian Digital Signature
If applicant is under 18.
Submission Date*

MonthDayYear
PRESS RELEASE AUTHORIZATION

I understand that NAGC may send press releases and/or release other external written and online communication about the achievements, accomplishments, and activities of its selected scholars.

I hereby grant NAGC permission to include me in appropriate press releases and other external written and online communication.
Applicants Digital Signature*
Parent/Guardian Digital Signature
If applicant is under 18.
Submission Date*

MonthDayYear

Press Release Contact Form (Optional)
The name(s) of my hometown newspaper(s) are:

Business NameContact if Known
Hometown Newspaper Contact Email
example@example.com
Hometown Newspaper Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
The name(s) of my hometown newspaper(s) are:

Business NameContact if Known
Hometown Newspaper Contact Email
example@example.com
Hometown Newspaper Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
School District's Director of Public Affair's Contact Information:

First NameLast Name
School District's Director of Public Affair's Email
example@example.com

Thank you so much for completing this application for the NAGC 2026 La Excelencia Latina Award. All applications will be reviewed throughout the month of June/July. Applicants will receive notification of application status by September 1, 2026.

If you have any questions or need anything in the meantime, please reach out to Jessica Gutierrez at jgutierrez@nagc.org.
Should be Empty:

La Excelencia Latina Award Application

La Excelencia Latina Award Application

Cover Sheet

Personal Statement

Artifacts

Two Nominating Letters of Support