$5,000 Award for Middle and High School

Students on Long Island

HMTC defines an Upstander as a person who stands up for others, and does not allow bigotry, hatred, or intolerance to happen without intercession. Every year we honor middle and high school students from across Long Island who have demonstrated the actions of an Upstander.

Teachers: Must write a nomination letter about what makes your student/students upstanders and why they should win the award. Please include your email address with each student's name, school, and grade.

Students: Must write at least a 500 word essay on what makes him/her/them an upstander using the essay prompt: "I have demonstrated the actions of an upstander by..." To be eligible to win, students must agree to speak briefly at the awards event on May 15th about their upstander behavior, and understand that the essay becomes property of HMTC and can be used in the media (student name can be anonymous). At the top of essay, please include your name, email address, school, and grade. 

DEADLINE - MONDAY, MARCH 27, 2023

Submit your essay and nomination letter via email to

Zachary Graulich at [email protected]

For additional questions, contact Zachary at the above email address or at 516.571.8040.