Best & Brightest 2024 Honorees

An Annual Awards Program Recognizing High School Seniors

APPLY NOW

ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS GRADUATING IN THE CLASS OF 2026

The Post-Standard & syracuse.com will be awarding high school seniors in the Central New York Region with the prestigious Best & Brightest Awards.

Do you excel at academics or have made your mark in our community in another way?

The Best & Brightest awards give a platform for the community to celebrate deserving seniors and your achievements. While you may be off to college, pursuing a passion, or following a different type of dream soon, we want to hear about your contributions to your community and how Central New York is undoubtedly better because of your accomplishments!

Tips for the application process:

  • Be sure that your email address can send and receive emails from outside of your school district (a personal email works best, i.e. Gmail)
  • We recommend that when you begin the application you complete it in one sitting
  • Letters of recommendation can be directly emailed to Lindsay Wickham at lwickham@advancemediany.com
  • If you do not receive a confirmation email that your application has been submitted, first check your Junk/Spam folders and if you do not see it there either, please contact Lindsay Wickham at lwickham@advancemediany.com

ABOUT THE BEST & BRIGHTEST AWARDS:

Students nominate themselves with an application, essay, letters of recommendation and details about their academic successes, extracurricular activity and service to their school and community.

Eligible students included seniors with at least a B or 3.0 grade point average attending school in the Section 3 (see below for eligible counties). Students are asked to write a personal narrative about their experiences.

Applications will be reviewed and winners selected by a panel of syracuse.com l The Post-Standard staff members.

Winners will be honored at an award ceremony in Syracuse and will also be featured in The Post-Standard and on syracuse.com.

*Section 3 includes the following counties: Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oswego, Oneida, Otsego

Best & Brightest 2025

Application to be considered for 2025 Best & Brightest Awards.

"*" indicates required fields

General Information

(xxx) xxx-xxxxx
You must enter a valid email address during the application process.
Please specify if parent or guardian
Must be a Section 3 District (see below for rules and regulations for list of eligible districts)
I am scheduled to graduate high school in 2025:*

School & Community Involvement

Please list your extracurricular, community, volunteer and family activities and interest in order of their importance to you. Include specific events and/or major accomplishments. You MUST use the + button to add a new line for each activity.*
Activity
Grade When Participated (9, 10, 11, 12)
Time Spent (Hours / week, Weeks / year, etc.)
Your Role (positions held, honors presented or letters earned)
 
Please list your extracurricular, community, volunteer and family activities and interest in order of their importance to you. Include specific events and/or major accomplishments.

Academic Achievements

Super scores also accepted

Work Experience

List any jobs including summer jobs, you have held during the past three years. You MUST use the + button to add a new line for each activity.*
Specific Nature of Work
Employer
Dates of Employment
Number of Hours / Week
 

Honors, Awards and Acknowledgements

Personal Narrative

Future Plans

Recommendations

Two recommendations are required for this application. All recommendations must be in by October 18th in order for your application to be eligible. Recommendations can be uploaded using the below form OR emailed directly to Lindsay Wickham at lwickham@advancemediany.com with the subject "Best & Brightest Recommendation" The letter of recommendation should be: 1) One recommendation should be from a teacher, coach, counselor or principal at your school. 2) The second recommendation should be someone outside of school (not a relative or a peer). 3) Each recommendation should be 300 words or fewer TIP: Select a recommendation writer that knows you well and can provide meaningful insights about you, your activities and your character. TO THOSE WRITING RECOMMENDATIONS: In your letter state how long you have known the applicant and in what context. Discuss the Student’s contribution to his/her school and community, intellectual promise, ability to overcome obstacles, leadership potential, special talents and enthusiasm. List your title, address, email address and phone numbers on the letter. Excerpts from recommendations may be published.
First and Last Name
(xxx) xxx - xxxx
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload your letter of recommendation
First and Last Name
(xxx) xxx - xxxx
Max. file size: 50 MB.
Please upload your letter of recommendation

Required Signatures

I verify that all the information I have provided is accurate, and I CONSENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF ANY INFORMATION IN THIS APPLICATION. I agree to have my photo taken by a The Post-Standard | syracuse.com photographer and published by The Post-Standard | syracuse.com news.