Heart Of Humanity Award.
Celebrating the young people who help others feel seen, supported, and less alone.
Recognizing The Power Of Human Connection.
Created in memory of Ryan Bartel, Woodgrove High School Class of 2015, the Heart of Humanity Award recognizes high school seniors who have made a meaningful difference in the life of a peer facing mental or emotional challenges.
This unique $2,500 scholarship celebrates compassion, acceptance, and the quiet acts of support that help young people feel seen, valued, and less alone, providing help when they need it most.
Unlike traditional scholarships, the Heart of Humanity Award is not based on academics, athletics, or extracurricular achievements. It honors students whose kindness, empathy, and willingness to support others have had a lasting impact.
Recipients cannot apply for or nominate themselves. Instead, they are nominated—often without their knowledge—by someone whose life they have touched.
What Is the Heart Of Humanity Award?
The 2026 nomination window is now closed.
The next nomination period opens in January 2027.
Celebrating Compassion In Action.
This award celebrates seniors who make a difference through empathy, kindness, and support for others. Nominees may:
Offer consistent support and comfort to a peer experiencing mental or emotional challenges
Reach out and help someone feel connected, inlcuded, or less alone
Demonstrate courage by helping, defending, or advocating for a peer during a difficult time.
Encourage or connect a struggling peer to professional help or other trusted support when needed
Eligibility & Guidelines.
To be eligible, nominees must:
Be a graduating senior (Grade 12 or equivalent). Attend public, private, or homeschool programs in Loudoun or Fauquier County, VA. Plan to pursue continuing education through a college, university, trade school, or vocational program within two years of graduation.
Additional Guidelines:
- Individuals may not nominate themselves.
- Nominees should not be informed of their nomination.
- Nominations may be submitted by a peer, classmate, friend, teammate, or community member up to age 21.
- Each nomination must include at least one adult witness who can verify the nominee’s character and actions.
- Individuals may nominate only one person per year.
- Scholarship funds must be used toward continuing education within two years of receiving the award.
- Recipients may choose to accept the recognition without accepting the monetary award.
Your Story Matters.
Every act of kindness matters. By sharing your story, you help shine a light on the young people who make our communities stronger.
Nominate someone who:
- Shows gratitude to a person who helped you during a difficult time
- Helps break the stigma surrounding mental health conversations
- Reminds others that support is available and that they are not alone
- Encourages a culture of connection, compassion, and belonging among young people
How To Nominate Someone.
Past Award Winners.
Meet the remarkable young people whose compassion, courage and support for others embody the spirit of the Heart of Humanity Award.
Serene Abbadi
Broad Run HS
Ava Riolo
Independence HS
Abby Garman
Woodgrove HS
Mackenzie Speilman
Potomac Falls HS
Roshini Manoharan
Independence HS
James Bowles
Rock Ridge High School
Riley Edoria
Woodgrove High School
Gabby Guambo
Dominion High School
Katelyn Lanham
Loudoun County High School
No scholarships awarded
Aidan Trimmer
Riverside High School
Lilah Grace Elnaggar
Riverside High School
Peri Regan
Woodgrove High School
Sarah Lindsey
Heritage High School
Madeleine Pennington
Heritage High School
Daniel Fisher
John Champ High School
Kelly Tran
Park View High School
Parsa Nikpour
Dominion High School
Joseph Cypher
Loudoun Valley High School
Steffanie Urbano
Briar Woods High School
Robby Scola
Heritage High School
Owen Fuller
Woodgrove High School
Kate Brunotts
Broad Run High School
Emily Beach
Woodgrove High School
Brianna Plumhof
Woodgrove High School
Sarah Gaston
Heritage High School
Nathan Oakley
Loudoun Valley High School
Trey Rustand
Woodgrove High School
Josh Zullo
Woodgrove High School
Sarah Harkins
Woodgrove High School
Alex Rivera
Woodgrove High School
Maddie Salahi
Woodgrove High School