Catholic social worker Irena Sendler saved 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. Little Rock Central High School senior Kendall Reinhardt faced bullies and beatings for being kind to the nine African Americans who integrated his school at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Young photojournalism student Therese Frare took the iconic photograph that changed the face of AIDS in the U.S. in the early 1990s.

These people demonstrated extraordinary courage and compassion without seeking credit for it. They changed the world and influenced our lives, but their names are often not found in history books. We call them Unsung Heroes—but they are only unsung until discovered and celebrated.

The Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes’ Discovery Award competition provides students a unique opportunity to do just that: use their creative talents to research primary sources and develop outstanding projects that feature Unsung Heroes who can serve as role models and inspire others to create change.

The remarkable stories of Unsung Heroes go untold until YOU tell them. Now is your chance.

The recipients of the prize determine the use of the funds, which are unrestricted. All winning projects will be featured on the Lowell Milken Center for Unsung Heroes website.

A certificate of recognition will be sent to projects with promise that did not place. In 2021 we gave cash prizes to all finalists along with certificates.  If you will send your topics by February 15th, we can approve or suggest.

For more information, visit https://www.lowellmilkencenter.org/competitions/discovery-award.