Since 2005, NAESP has partnered with The Hershey Company and the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations to offer the two components of this exciting award program. Through recognition materials or the essay contest, the award honors the legacy of businessman and philanthropist Milton Hershey, who wanted to share his dream and affect the lives of those less fortunate. Dr. Russell J. Quaglia developed the Eight Conditions That Make a Difference, characteristics of students who are following the Milton Hershey model.

Principals can recognize and honor students who provide examples of one or more of the Eight Conditions:

• Belonging - Students who ensure that others feel welcome, valued and safe at school.
• Heroes - Students who are role models for others
• Sense of Accomplishment - Students who try their best and are successful in ways that are not typically recognized.
• Fun and Excitement - Students who are engaged in learning and share their enthusiasm with others.
• Curiosity and Creativity - Students who are inquisitive enough to ask "why?" and imaginative enough to ask "why not."
• Spirit of Adventure - Students who are willing to take a chance and push their boundaries to succeed.
• Leadership and Responsibility - Students who are not afraid to make decisions and accept responsibilities for their choices.
• Confidence to Take Action - Students who set goals and are taking the necessary steps to reach those goals.

Dream! Reach! Succeed! Essay Contest

Congratulations to the 2009 Dream! Reach! Succeed! Essay Contest winners!

These eight students wrote winning essays in which they reflected on vital leadership characteristics such as heroism and decision-making. In addition to being featured on the NAESP Web site, the winners received a special certificate of recognition and a monetary award.

William Molleur, third grade
Hardwick Elementary
Hardwick, Vermont
Principal: Marilyn Zophar

Annslyn Pilkington, third grade
White Plains Elementary School
Anniston, Alabama
Principal: Joseph Dyar

Madelyn Deitchler, third grade
Treynor Elementary
Treynor, Iowa
Principal: Tim Larsen

Madelyn McDermott, fourth grade
Garlough Environmental Magnet School
West St. Paul, Minnesota
Principal: Susan Powell Maddie Hastings, fifth grade
Kimball Wiles Elementary School
Gainesville, Florida
Principal: Barbara Buys

Alexis Peregrino, fifth grade
West End School
Long Branch, New Jersey
Principal: Janet Dudick

Rachel Jenkin, sixth grade
Clifford H. Smart Middle School
Commerce, Michigan
Principal: Mindy Moekouris

Jonathan Negvesky, sixth grade
Mid Valley Middle School
Throop, Pennsylvania
Principal: Deborah Demming

Dream! Reach! Succeed! Recognition Awards

 

Use the Eight Conditions to guide your selection of students for the awards. Each condition can be honored through a separate award. A principal can give one or all awards for each of the Eight Conditions to a student, and more than one student can win an award in the same area.

Distinctive lapel pins and certificates are available as awards for students.

Order materials by completing a downloadable form that can be printed and sent by fax or mail.