Thompson Youth Make a Difference Contest
Recognizing students who are making a positive impact in their community.
Students submit ideas for projects they would like to implement that will help make a difference in the world.
Formerly known as the “Thompson Kids Can Change the World Contest,” Thompson School District holds this contest every spring.
2025 Application Open through March 28
Apply Now
Submit a step-by-step plan online by March 28 about how you can make a positive difference in our community.
1 Winner in Kindergarten - Fifth Grade
1 Winner in Sixth - Twelfth Grade
Winners will receive:
- $300 to implement the idea
- Assistance connecting to a business to help
- A feature story about the winner
2024 Winners
Aleea Triplett
Sarah Milner Elementary School
Grade 5
Aleea Triplett created a pen pal program between elementary students at her school and a senior citizen center. By coordinating this program, which matched students with senior citizens and scheduled deliveries, she ensured that each senior citizen in the program received a letter on a regular basis and connected with a student.
She helped make a difference in our community by creating opportunities for relationships that would enhance the lives of students and senior citizens and help those who may feel lonely connect with someone.
Illyana Collins
Mountain View High School
Grade 11
Illyana Collins coordinated a health and wellness retreat for Mountain View High School's female students. Professional women presented and talked to students about various physical and mental wellness topics, including self-defense, nutrition, and stress management.
She helped make a difference by creating a safe space to connect teenage girls with women who could educate, empower, and influence them regarding their physical and mental wellness.
2023 Winners
Arabella Knuth
Coyote Ridge Elementary School
Grade 2
Arabella Knuth coordinated a stuffed animal donation drive, purchased stuffed animals, and distributed them to Foster and Adoptive Families of Larimer County.
She helped change the world by helping foster children feel cared for and adjust to temporary homes.
The winner of the sixth-twelfth grade category wishes to remain anonymous.
The winner created communication assistance bags for the Loveland Police Department to assist them with individuals that they help who are non-speaking due to disabilities or anxiety. The winner partnered with the police department and community agencies to implement the project.
The project made a difference by giving police resources and tools to help non-speaking individuals and also helping those individuals be able to communicate with police.
2022 Winners
Genevieve LaFerriere
High Plains School
Grade 5
Genevieve organized the "Day 2 Change Challenge" for Thompson School District students in which they picked up litter in the community.
She changed the world by helping clean the community and set an example of environmental responsibility.
Emory Gordon
High Plains School
Grade 8
Emory coordinated a cultural fair in which diverse cultures were represented to educate and share different backgrounds.
She changed the world by creating an opportunity for more cultural awareness to help unify the community.
2021 Winners
Lauren Dietz’s Community Garden
Lauren Dietz, a winner of the 2021-2022 Thompson Kids Can Change the World Contest, addressed food insecurity by building a community garden. Discover her impact on her community.
Kelly Clingan’s Clothes Closet
Kelly Clingan, a winner of the 2021-2022 Thompson Kids Can Change the World Contest, created a cohesive plan for the Eagle Clothes Closet, a free clothing resource for students in need at Thompson Valley High School.
2019 Winners
Khloe Lloyd
Truscott Elementary School
Grade 2
Khloe coordinated a car wash for Loveland Police Officers to honor and celebrate them.
She changed the world by helping police officers feel apprieciated and respected for the work they do.
Ashley Arthur
Mountain View High School
Grade 11
Ashley created resources boxes for high school students and placed them in classrooms.
She changed the world by giving high school students tools to learn coping skills to better handle struggles.
2018 Winners
Charles Forbes Wond
Coyote Ridge Elementary School
Grade 5
Charles made a delivered care packages to senior citizens in rehabilitation centers.
He changed the world by helping people in rehabilitation centers to improve their health by feeling happier.
Malia Joshi, Taylor Patterson, Olivia Culbertson, and Teagan Clark
High Plains School
Grade 7
Malia, Taylor, Olivia, and Teagan made and delivered activity bags to children in hospitals.
They changed the world by lifting the spirits of children in hospitals at a time when they needed it most.
2017 Winners
Olivia Bergsten
Garfield Elementary School
Grade 5
Olivia coordinated a project to make blankets for children in hospitals.
She changed the world by bringing comfort to children in area hospitals who were struggling with illness and needed encouragement, especially those without family in the area.
Josh Robertson
Lucile Erwin Middle School
Grade 8
Josh completed construction of an outdoor education classroom at Centennial Elementary School, for which he received the Eagle Scout Service Project Award.
He changed the world by helping students learn about the world around them. He brought the community of Loveland together by reaching out to organizations, companies, and residents to cooperate to fund, construct, and beautify an area of the city.