Imprints Of Honor

Imprints of Honor awards eight scholarships to high school seniors who have been active in a school Chapter for a minimum of two years. Students must have a teacher recommendation and compete via essay contests, where they describe how veterans have impacted their character and encouraged their future, or how they have been of service to their school chapter and veteran community. The awards include a commemorative medal, a one-time $1000, $1500, $2000, $2500 or $3000 scholarship payable to the student; and one $17,500 renewable award up to four years, credited to the student's account at their selected institute of higher learning. Each scholarship is presented at our culminating program activity, the Annual Community Reception and Book Signing. We also partner with the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society (AVHOFS), who provides three additional scholarships for our students. These awards are presented directly to the students at AVHOFSs annual Patriotic Luncheon. We purchase a table for $500 to attend the event with the students, and their families and teachers.This year, nine additional honorable mention scholarships were awarded as a one-time gift, based on the generosity of a scholarship reviewer who wanted all submitted essays to be recognized, because I was overwhelmed by the quality of their writing, the content that each shared, and the impact Imprints of Honor had on their young lives.

Students have the option to learn Adobe InDesign and Photoshop through our technology platform and in-person workshops, to layout the veteran stories for publication in our hardbound book titled Since You Asked. Similar to a yearbook class, our staff hold work days at our office and will visit high schools to offer guidance as the students complete the layout process. Student interviewers and their interviewed veterans each receive a free book, and additional copies are available for sale to the public.

Schools collaborate regionally to plan community events, typically held in April or May, to honor their veterans and present the completed work. The free public events include student emcees and statements, a veteran keynote, student scholarship awards, and a veteran book signing where attendees have an opportunity to interact with the veterans.