The City of Valparaiso, in conjunction with the Valparaiso Mayor’s Youth Council, is currently seeking nominations for its Rising Star Award program. This initiative, introduced in 2024, aims to recognize exceptional young residents between the ages of 10 and 18 who demonstrate qualities of benevolence, leadership, and perseverance, and who contribute positively to the community. Applications for the 2026 award are due by November 16, 2026.
The Rising Star Award was established by the Mayor's Youth Council to celebrate the numerous responsible, intelligent, and hardworking youth daily contributing to Valparaiso's success. Mayor Jon Costas commented on the program, stating that the city sees "so many extraordinary young people in Valparaiso" and wishes to support the youth council's enthusiasm for recognizing these emerging leaders. The qualities of benevolence, leadership, and perseverance were specifically chosen by the Mayor's Youth Council as worthy of recognition. These traits reflect the award's purpose to highlight young individuals who actively contribute to the well-being and progress of the city.
In 2025, Nora Burk was honored as Valparaiso's Rising Star. Her recognition stemmed from her dedicated efforts to assist others, including her commitment of time and resources to the local animal shelter and the Meals on Wheels program, among other contributions. Her selection exemplified the program's intent to celebrate young individuals who are responsible, intelligent, and hardworking, and who contribute to the broader success of the community. The Mayor's Youth Council created the award to spotlight the abundance of these qualities within the city's youth population.
To nominate a Valparaiso resident aged 10 to 18 for the Rising Star recognition, interested parties can access the application through the city's official channels. The deadline for submitting these applications for the 2026 award is November 16, 2026. Additional details regarding the Rising Star program, along with information on the Good Neighbor recognitions, can be found on the Community Engagement page on the city's website. This award program serves as a formal mechanism to acknowledge the significant and often unseen contributions of Valparaiso's youth, reinforcing a community culture that values civic engagement and selfless service from its youngest members. The Mayor's Youth Council continues to champion the recognition of these individuals, fostering a spirit of community involvement and leadership among the next generation.
