United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s third annual Youth United Contest opens November 1, 2025, to high school seniors across the organization’s service area (Iron Range, Koochiching County, and Lake of the Woods County).
The contest will award up to $10,000 in scholarships among students who answer the question, “What do you see as the biggest need or challenge in your community, and what are your thoughts on how UWNEMN or similar groups can meet that need or address that challenge?”
Answers can be submitted on UWNEMN’s websites. Submissions must be 750 words or fewer and will be judged anonymously based on content, vision, and community service/awareness.
“We hope to hear from as many students as possible,” said UWNEMN Education & Childhood Programs Specialist Sarah Gardeski. “This is our chance each year to check in with local young people in hopes of better understanding how to serve our region.”
Youth United submissions will be accepted through January 1, 2026, and winners will be contacted in March. Scholarships will be awarded for expenses related to a four-year college, two-year college, or trades school. The minimum scholarship will be $1,000.
To-date UWNEMN has awarded $20,000 among 14 Youth United finalists from Angora, Baudette, Cook, Gilbert, Hibbing, Hoyt Lakes, Iron, Kinney, Makinen, and Virginia whose ideas included: mental health awareness and support, meal preparation on a budget, eliminating barriers to extra-curricular participation, peer-to-peer mentoring, increased support of the arts, promoting volunteerism, and activities to address isolation for seniors in long-term care facilities.