One of the most popular Exchange youth projects, the Youth of the Month/Year Award recognizes hard-working high school students who attain high levels of scholastic achievement, community involvement, and leadership. This proven program rewards outstanding young people and incentivizes other youngsters to strive for equally high levels of achievement. Once a Youth of the Month program has been successfully implemented, the groundwork for conducting an annual Youth of the Year competition is already in place. Youth of the Year is selected from the club's Youth of the Month recipients for that school year. The club's Youth of the Year advances to district competition and, ultimately, an opportunity to vie for the prestigious National Youth of the Year Award.