T

he Ambassador Award was created in 2010 by the Board of Directors of Museum Africa to recognize and celebrate the nation's high school students who exemplify all that's good and decent about growing up in America.

The award is named the Ambassador Award to acknowledge the idealism of the recipients, who often are at odds with their peers for taking principled stands on controversial issues, while unwittingly serving as role models and "ambassadors" for their schools, their neighborhoods, and their country.

The Ambassador Award seeks to make Americans aware of the conscientious and courageous acts of young people who choose to do what is right, rather than what is expedient.

The award is presented annually to a high school student whose actions best demonstrate the qualities of courageous leadership in the spirit of tolerance and fairplay.

The Ambassador Award is administered by the Museum Africa Trust Foundation. A distinguished committee named by the Foundation reviews all nominations, and selects the recipient or recipients of the award.

The award is presented each June at a ceremony at the Museum Africa headquarters in Chicago.