The Sokol Minnesota Youth Leadership Award (YLA) is a way to encourage and recognize outstanding participation of youth members and to foster a future generation of members and leaders for our Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota organization.

Up to three Sokol Minnesota youths will receive the award and a $500 cash prize; $400 each from Sokol Minnesota, plus $100 each contributed by the Honorary Czech Consul M. L. Kucera. A separate award with a $100 prize is given for the Best Essay, donated by Louise Wessinger. Applications for the 2025 Youth Leadership Awards are open from April 1 – July 1.

The criteria for this award are as follows: Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of high school and they and their parent(s) need to be paid members of Sokol Minnesota for at least the current and preceding calendar year (2024 and 2025).

The criteria for this award are as follows:

Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of high school and they and their parent(s) need to be paid members of Sokol Minnesota for at least the current and preceding calendar year (2024 and 2025).

Applicants must actively participate in one or more Sokol Minnesota sponsored youth activities, such as Taneční Teen dancers, Sokol gymnastics, Czech and Slovak Children’s Cultural Day Camp, or Sokol Minnesota Youth Link; or actively participate in Czech & Slovak School Twin Cities activities; and be a regular volunteer at Sokol Minnesota sponsored events.

Applicants will be expected to complete the Youth Leadership Award application form outlining their activity participation, write a 300-word-maximum essay about how their participation in Sokol Minnesota activities has impacted their life, have a participation verification form signed by an adult director of their youth activity, a letter of recommendation from an adult director, and forms signed by adult leaders of Sokol Minnesota events where the applicant was a volunteer.

Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2025. All forms are below and can be downloaded to fill out. Application forms need to be sent to the review committee YLA@sokolmn.org where they will receive a response within one week confirming that forms were received. Applicants can apply multiple times, but may receive the award only once. The Leadership and Best Essay Award recipients will be announced by September 1. All awards will be presented at the annual Sokol Minnesota Czech and Slovak Festival on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Questions? Contact: Doreen McKenney at youths@sokolmn.org or Louise Wessinger at louisewessinger@msn.com.