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Project Award Submission

Weight: 67%
Description: Please submit your Project Award as ONE PDF file in this order: Personal Information Page, Cover Letter, Project Resume, and Project Report Form.
Guidelines & information: Your Project Award Submission should submitted as ONE PDF file, which includes your Personal Information Page, Cover Letter, Project Resume, and Project Report Form.

The file name should be formatted: projectarea_lastname_firstname.

Youth should organize their PDF file in the following order:
1. Personal Information Page
2. Cover Letter
3. Resume
4. Project Report Form
Submission deadline: Feb 17, 2026 11:59 PM CST

Rubric

Cover Letter: Engaging Opening & Purpose Stated

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Cover Letter: Evidence of Fit/Project Summary & Relevance

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Cover Letter: Organization & Flow (coherent, concise)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Cover Letter: Tone/Voice & Motivation (professional, authentic)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Cover Letter: Grammar/Mechanics (punctuation, usage)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Cover Letter: Business Letter Format (heading, address, signature, length)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Personal Objective: Clarity/Specificity of Goal

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Personal Objective: Alignment to Project Award Category

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Project Mastery: Evidence/Results (what changed or improved)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Project Mastery: Scope/Complexity of Skills

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Project Mastery: Age-Appropriateness/Progression Over Time

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Leadership: Roles & Responsibilities

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Leadership: Impact/Outcomes (what others gained)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Citizenship: Depth/Quality of Service

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Citizenship: Initiative & Relevance to Project Area

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Life Skills/Career Readiness: Examples & Reflection (transfer of skills)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Life Skills/Career Readiness: Variety & Depth (breadth across contexts)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Recognition (appropriateness, levels, significance)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Non-4-H Project-Related Experiences (relevance & contribution)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Resume- Overall Formatting/Heading/Grammar (visual appeal; accuracy)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Goals: ART Details, Age-Appropriate Challenge, Reflection on Progress

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Communications: Sharing Methods (variety & suitability)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Communications: Audience & Reach (breadth/impact)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Learning: Size/Growth/Development of Project

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Learning: Knowledge & Skills Gained (specificity & level)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Learning: Activities (meetings/clinics/tours)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Learning: Contests & Competitive Learning (judging/quiz bowls/skill-a-thons)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Exhibits/Showcase: Exhibits/Displays/Shows (evidence & alignment)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Leadership: Roles (elected/appointed/requested)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Leadership: Self-Initiated/Independent Efforts

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Leadership: Teaching/Organizing/Coordinating & Outcomes

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Citizenship: Participation in Service Related to Project

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Citizenship: Initiative/Coordination of Service Efforts

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Citizenship: Impact on Community/Beneficiaries

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Finances: Accuracy & Completeness of Records/Summaries

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Finances: Organization & Clarity (profit/loss not used for scoring)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Reflection: Knowledge & Skill Growth; Application to Daily Life

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Reflection: Leadership/Citizenship Development & Future Plans

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Reflection: Communication Quality (organization, word choice, grammar)

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

Project Report- Photos: Evidence of Growth, Leadership & Citizenship in Action

1 Limited: Minimal or missing evidence.

2 Developing: Partial/limited evidence; needs clarification or depth.

3 Satisfactory: Meets basic expectations; adequate evidence.

4 Strong: Fully meets expectations; solid evidence and clarity.

5 Outstanding: Exceeds expectations for age/experience; comprehensive and clear.

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