Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship | BBB Pacific Southwest

At the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we believe it is never too early to introduce and emphasize the importance of ethics. At the high school level, students begin to face ethical decisions that may impact the rest of their lives. They serve as role models whose moral compass not only guides their actions, but also influences those around them. The BBB seeks to honor ethical students for doing the right thing with the BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship, available in Greater Arizona and Southern California.

SCHOLARSHIP PRIZES 

Five students in Greater Arizona, five students in Orange County, California, and five students in San Diego County, California to be awarded with scholarship prizes. 

1st - $1,500
2nd - $1,250
3rd - $1,000
4th - $750
5th - $500


ELIGIBILITY

Students in grades 9-12 (graduating classes of 2025-2028) residing and enrolled in school in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Orange, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai or Yuma Counties are invited to apply for this scholarship opportunity. 

 

SELECTION PROCESS

Students will write essays on an ethical issue that they faced and how they handled it. Essays should not exceed 500 words and include a title in the essay. Essays should analyze what ethics has taught the students and themselves. Note that the most engaging essays often reflect on a meaningful experience or lesson learned in one’s life that focuses on an ethical reflection. Essays should be written by students without the use of AI. Essays written with the assistance of AI will be disqualified from the contest. Essay critique is based on a point system (1-5), with (4) categories.

  1. Inclusion of Personal Viewpoints and/or examples (5 points);

  2. Relevance to Theme (5 points);

  3. Readability & Clarity (5 points);

  4. Spelling & Grammar (5 points).

 

2024 APPLICATION TIMELINE

The applications for the 2024 Ethical Torch Scholarship are now open. If you would like to request a paper application, please contact the BBB scholarship team. Recipients will be announced at BBB Torch Awards for Ethics.

San Diego Students Application
San Diego and Imperial County Students

Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on  August 18, 2024.

Orange County Students Application
Orange County Students

Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on  September 8, 2024.

Greater Arizona Students Application
Greater Arizona Students

Submit your application by 11:59 p.m. on  September 24, 2024.

RECOGNITION & PRIZE REMITTANCE

Winning scholarship recipients will be recognized and receive funds towards college tuition and expenses at this year's Torch Awards for Ethics. To learn more about the Torch Awards for Ethics event, visit us at torchawards.bbbcommunity.org.  

CONTACT

Please contact the BBB scholarship team by email at scholarships@bbbcommunity.org or by phone at (602) 212-2228.


CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2023 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

SAN DIEGO WINNERS

Olivia Ngo
1st Place

Olivia Ngo from Mira Mesa High School

Hoover High School Logo
2nd Place

Maryam Mohamed from Hoover High School

Pablo Mora
3rd Place

Pablo Mora from Chula Vista learning Community Charter High School

Dariel Lucio
4th Place

Dariel Lucio from San Ysidro High School

Jillian Rudolph
5th Place

Jillian Rudolph  from El Capitan High School

ORANGE COUNTY WINNERS

Ella Cho
1st Place

Ella Cho from Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Angelina Yang
2nd Place

Angelina Yang from Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Emmanuel Rodriguez-Mejia
3rd Place

Emmanuel Rodriguez-Mejia from Middle College High School

Charice Maddela
4th Place

Charice Maddela from Ocean View High School

Amber Nguyen
5th Place

Amber Nguyen from Crean Lutheran High School

GREATER ARIZONA WINNERS

Male high school student headshot
1st Place

Mollie Taylor from Lee Williams High School

Female high school student headshot
2nd Place

Arv Jain from BASIS Peoria

Female high school student headshot
3rd Place

Adele Marie Torrington from Arizona School for the Arts

Female high school student headshot
4th Place

Natalie Brunansky from Aletheia Christian Academy

Male high school student headshot
5th Place

Orion Chaturvedi from Maricopa High School

 

ETHICAL TORCH ESSAY SPONSORS

Thank you to our Greater Arizona Ethical Torch Essay Sponsors

Ethical Torch Essay Header Image

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor an Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship for ethical students who serve as role models and do the right thing when no one is watching. Contact us to learn more.