Share YOUR story in detail! The entire purpose of you sharing your story is to help other students understand they are not alone, that others have difficult circumstances, and how they might get through their own difficulties and go on to live an empowered life. To increase your ability to win, include as much detail about your life, your difficult circumstances and what resilience tools you use to thrive.
Celebrating Resilience
Applications open January 1, 2027 and close February 28, 2027 at 11:59 PM.
Apply for the award by sharing an essay with your story of resilience about how you graduated (or will graduate) in the face of tremendous obstacles. You may not graduate at the top of your class, but deserve an award for the courage and strength it took to get where you are.
Tell your story as if you are trying to help someone younger than you who doesn’t see any way to make it in this life.
To increase your chances of winning, include as much detail as possible.
Tell them your story! Show them how to thrive!
We want to recognize what you've overcome!
Every year at high school graduations across the country, students receive awards for their outstanding efforts. Why aren’t the kids who struggle acknowledged? There are kids who face overwhelming odds and exhibit tremendous resilience to simply graduate. We want to acknowledge these amazing kids!
How Does It Work?
What is the Award?
Applications open January 1, 2027 and close February 28, 2027 at 11:59 PM.
The Hannah Warburton Resilience Award is a $500.00 cash award established for Utah high school seniors who have shown resilience in overcoming difficult obstacles to completing their high school education and write a detailed essay about their experiences.
In order to increase your likelihood of being an award recipient include as much detail as possible about your challenges and the tools you learned to thrive.
Utah seniors will be awarded at the end of each school year. This is not a scholarship, but rather a cash award to offset any costs associated with the recipient’s efforts to attain higher education, including tuition, books, supplies, transportation costs, or simply to take a well-deserved summer vacation.The number of students awarded is dependent on donations received.
We Share Your Story So It Will Help Others
In the process of applying for this award, students will share their story of resilience. Their stories will go on to help kids of all ages overcome struggles in their own lives. Awardees will be highlighted in their schools, social media, and local news outlets where possible.
We Present The Award
Whenever possible we present this award to the student at their H.S. award assembly. It’s a great way to break the stigma that prevents kids from speaking out when they are in pain. Let’s celebrate resilience!
Award
Stories
2026 Awardee – Andrew Staker – Weber High School HS
My Life I have suffered from severe brain damage for a long time, and if you know anything about this then you know that after the first one...
2026 – Daniel Kotter – Orem High School HS
Losing my dad after a brutal 10 year battle with stage 4 cancer My mom needs help at home. My dad passed away two years ago, and I have...
2026 – Noah Steele – Juab High School HS
When Caregiving Changes Generations I don’t think resilience is something you actually fully understand until it becomes a life lesson. I have...
2026 – Madisyn Squires – Maple Mountain High School HS
Changing My View That afternoon, I came home from school to an empty house—he was gone. I wouldn’t see him for another week after that. From...
2026 – David Killpack – Lehi high school HS
Slower, Not Stopped I was born with spina bifida. Growing up with a disability has shaped every part of my life and education. It has also...
2026 – Aria Horrocks – Bear River High School HS
Sophomore Year Struggles Just a note beforehand, this essay is one that I wrote for one of my concurrent enrollment classes. I was asked to...
2026 Awardee – Lydia Tressler – Pleasant Grove High School HS
The Shape of my Memory I’ve shared my story with friends, family, therapists, and even strangers, but each time, I grapple with where to...

