PTA Awards

The PTA awards aim to recognize student growth and expression during high school. Each spring, students are asked to respond to a designated prompt in the form of a personal essay, or alternatively, through a creative format such as a song, dance, poem, TikTok video, etc. 

Submissions are reviewed by committee and approved by the PTA executive board in late April. Our goal is to support as many students as possible. Each monetary award may be used for any purpose to help a graduate begin their next steps. 

Link to the 2026 PTA awards announcements below for more information.

• 2026 PTA Awards Announcement - Seniors
  Prompt: Choose one experience or project that you have been involved with at DSHS and describe what you learned and/or how you were impacted by this experience or project. How will you utilize what you have gleaned from this experience or project once you leave our Blue Devil community?

• 2026 PTA Awards Announcement - Sophomores & Juniors
  Prompt: Demonstrate your understanding of and ability to promote diversity, social justice, and equal rights within the DSHS community. Your submission should center around personal growth – whether through your own experiences or your evolving understanding of inclusion – and how that growth can help build a stronger, more equitable community.

In spring 2026, we awarded 43 DSHS students with up to $250 per student for a total of $4,500 awarded. See below for the list of award recipients, with links to the top essays.