Aubrey Puckett Memorial Award

This national staff award in memory of Aubrey Puckett celebrates a Head Start alumna, alumnus, or parent now working for a Head Start or Early Head Start program who demonstrates their passion for serving through advocacy, career growth, and being actively involved in their program, community, or at the state or national level.

Scholarship winners will receive an award of $500 and a commemorative certificate. The nominee must:

  • Have been enrolled in a Head Start or Early Head Start program as a child or parent for one or more years
  • Have been a Head Start program employee for at least three years
  • Provide a letter of reference from two people who know the nominee in their current role
  • Provide a cover letter addressing the following:
    • Key details about the nominee and the nominee's family and connection to Head Start as a child or parent.
    • Provide details about program service, including year started, positions held, etc.
    • Describe activities and efforts the nominee has made that demonstrate passion for serving through advocacy, career growth, and involvement in the community or at the state/national level to benefit Head Start families
  • Comply with all NHSA general rules and regulations as listed on the Scholarships & Awards homepage.

Application

Award Nominator






Regional Contact







Aubrey Pucket Award












Ron Herdon Award














Vanessa Rich Award












Alumni Scholarship Award

In honor of Head Start’s proven model of success, the National Head Start Alumni Scholarship is a non-renewable merit award to celebrate Head Start student achievement in high school and support students as they begin the next leg of their educational journey. 


Scholarship winners will receive an award of $5,000 and a commemorative certificate. Funds must be applied to the documented cost of tuition or books at a 2-year or 4-year institution whose accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.


The nominee must:

  • Provide proof of enrollment in a Head Start or Early Head Start program as a child for one or more years.

  • Provide a cover letter with key details about the nominee and the nominee's family and connection to Head Start as a child.

  • Submit proof of the nominee’s status as a high school senior on target to graduate with at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale or equivalent as indicated on school transcript.

  • Provide three letters of recommendation (two from academic subject teachers who taught the nominee within the last 2 years and one from a civic/religious organization where the nominee is active).

  • Provide proof of nominee’s application to at least one  2-year or 4-year academic institution registered by the US Department of Education (proof of enrollment will be required before distribution of funds).

  • Comply with all NHSA general rules and regulations as listed on the Scholarships & Awards homepage.













Ed Zigler Award


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Community Partner Details









Sargent Shriver Award


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Aubrey Pucket Supporting Documents
**Click here for more details about the scholarship requirement








Vanessa Rich Supporting Documents
**Click here for more details about the scholarship requirement








Ron Herndon Supporting Documents
**Click here for more details about the scholarship requirement








Zigler Supporting Documents
**Click here for more details about the scholarship requirement







Sargent Shriver Supporting Documents
**Click here for more details about the scholarship requirement







Alumni Scholarship Supporting Documents









Meet Natalie Hankins, NHSA’s 2022 Aubrey Puckett Awardee

Aubrey Puckett Memorial Awardee Natalie Hankins says “the wonderful and positive outcomes on children and their families” keeps her going.

Read More

Past Aubrey Puckett Memorial Award Recipients

2022-23: Judith Baker, Parents in Community Action, Inc., Minneapolis, MN

2021-22: Natalie Hankins, Institute of Community Services, Holly Springs, MS

2020-21: Sherry Day, LEADS, Inc.

2019-20: Trecia Nickerson, Alger Marquette Community Action Board

2018-19: Dorothy Frederick, Community Partnership for Child Development

2017-18: Ammie Joyce, Head Start Child and Family Development Program

2016-17: Adella Arredondo, Denver Great Kids Head Start