Entering its 19th year, the Youth Awards honor Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their focus in various categories including: Business & Entrepreneurship, Community Service, Education, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Science, Technology, and Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM).

Youth Awards begin with a high-profile, national search through a celebrity-based multimedia campaign that includes partnerships with more than 5,000 high schools and hundreds of colleges, media, elected officials, businesses and organizations. Approximately 10,000 applications are collected from qualified juniors who are honored as seniors in the fall.

Students have an average GPA of 3.5 or higher, and are promoted as role models to inspire others and shatter negative stereotypes. Youth Awardees can receive grants for education or community projects to encourage social innovation and entrepreneurship.