Inspiring the next generation of changemakers

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes is marking its 25th anniversary in 2025, continuing its mission to honor young people who are making a significant positive impact on their communities, humanity, and the environment. Established in 2001 by acclaimed author T. A. Barron, the prestigious award recognizes 25 exceptional young leaders, ages 8–18, who have gone above and beyond to create meaningful change.

Opening Doors to the Next Generation of Heroes
Applications for the 2025 Gloria Barron Prize opened in January, giving young changemakers the opportunity to be part of this prestigious tradition. Each year, the Barron Prize highlights the incredible potential and drive of young people, celebrating their passion for service and their dedication to building a better world.

Applications are due April 15th, and the winners will be announced in September. Fifteen top winners will be selected to receive $10,000 to support their service work or higher education.

A Full Circle of Leadership: Barron Prize Alumni as Judges
Several of the current judges are previous Barron Prize winners themselves. These alumni, who have grown into inspiring leaders, now serve on the selection panel, reviewing applications from young people who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in service projects.

These judges are uniquely equipped to recognize the qualities that define a Barron Prize winner, having walked that path themselves. They are looking for young applicants who have not only shown initiative but have created lasting, positive change through their passion projects.

Making a Difference at Any Age
Below are just a few of the many remarkable Baron Prize winners from Colorado who have made an impact in their communities and beyond.

Eric and Christina Bear, ages 11 and 13 in 2011
Created the Radon Awareness Project (RAP) – Detect to Protect to educate the public about the dangers of radon and the importance of testing for it.

Dana Perella, age 9 in 2020
Perella founded Cookies4Cures and has raised more than $100,000 to fund research into rare pediatric diseases. In three years, she has rallied nearly 100 families to join her in baking over 17,000 cookies. Dana’s nonprofit focuses on research and treatments for five rare and devastating childhood diseases that affect her friends and others.

Matine Khalighi, age 18 in 2020
Khalighi co-founded Helping the Homeless Colorado (HTHC), a Denver-based nonprofit that supports individuals in the community who are facing homelessness. Over the past four years, his team has raised more than $130,000 to help over 10,000 people in need. The group has granted $15,000 in college scholarships to homeless students and has distributed more than 40,000 basic necessities.

Gitanjali Rao, age 15 in 2021
Named TIME Kid of the Year in 2020
In the past three years, Rao has conducted 335 workshops for nearly 50,000 students in places such as Afghanistan, India, Kenya refugee camps, and rural schools in the U.S. Her workshops guide young innovators through a prescriptive five-step process that she has developed and used for her own innovations. She has invented numerous devices to help humanity. She developed Tethys, a faster and cheaper way to detect lead in water. Her Epione device uses genetic engineering to diagnose prescription opioid addiction and her Kindly initiative helps prevent cyberbullying. Her latest project detects harmful water-borne parasites quickly and   accurately via a genetically engineered biosensor.

Apply for the Barron Prize
As the Gloria Barron Prize celebrates its 25th anniversary, it remains committed to inspiring and empowering the next generation of leaders. The Barron Prize offers not just financial support, but a lasting network of mentors, peers, and changemakers who will continue to inspire one another for years to come.

If you know a young hero who is making a difference, or if you are a young person with a passion for service, now is the time to apply. The Barron Prize is looking for young leaders who are ready to take their projects to the next level and make a lasting impact on the world.

For more information and to apply, visit barronprize.org