Writing
A 1,500–2,500-word profile or long-form essay grounded in research.
Washington, DC · October 25, 2026
Local heroes.
Global stories.
Exhibition Opening
& Awards Ceremony
Meet the young storytellers bringing their communities’ unsung heroes into the spotlight.
Celebrating local heroes
on a world stage
THE DATESunday, October 252026
THE TIME2:30–4:00 PM ETCheck-in begins at 2:00 PM
THE PLACEChinese American Museum DC729 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Initiative overview
Extraordinary people.
Right where we live.
Discover. Document. Share.
Every community has a story worth sharing.
Global Hometown Hero is an international initiative inviting high school students to identify, research, and celebrate an unsung hero in their own community: someone whose contributions have made a lasting local difference, but whose story deserves a wider audience.
Through writing, photography, documentary filmmaking, multimedia, and audio, students bring these lives into focus. Selected works are brought together in a museum exhibition, connecting local experiences with a global audience.
The initiative encourages careful research, thoughtful storytelling, cross-cultural understanding, and pride in local heritage.
Discover the people
behind the stories.
A shared space to listen and connect.
The opening celebration
An afternoon of stories
and recognition.
Join us for guest remarks, awards, student showcases, exhibition viewing, and conversations. Light refreshments will be served.
Check-in & Welcome
Guest registration and seating.
Guest Remarks
Opening remarks from invited guests.
Awards & Remarks
Award presentations and brief remarks.
Student Showcase & Exhibition Viewing
Interviews and community conversations.
Five ways to tell a story
Different forms.
A shared human connection.
Students choose the medium that best brings their hometown hero’s story to life.
Photography
& Visual Art
A series of 5–10 photographs or illustrations, with an artist statement.
Documentary
Film
A 3–8-minute documentary revealing the person behind the contribution.
Multimedia
An interactive digital presentation, website, slide presentation, or poster.
Audio
A 10–20-minute audio documentary or narrative podcast episode.
The initiative welcomes high school students ages 14–18 worldwide, participating individually or in teams of 2–4. Visit the initiative website for full participation and submission information.
Research. Respect. Recognition.
Honoring the work
behind each story.
The initiative recognizes authentic subjects, depth of research, quality of storytelling, community impact, and originality. Students are encouraged to portray their heroes and communities with care and cultural sensitivity.
AuthenticityResearchStorytellingCommunity impactCreativity
Awards recognize outstanding contributions across different storytelling forms and communities.
Grand Prize
Recognition for an outstanding overall entry.
Category Winners
Recognition across the five submission categories.
Regional Honorable Mentions
Celebrating stories from communities around the world.
Jury Special Award
Recognizing outstanding community impact at the judges’ discretion.
Be part of the conversation
Meet the storytellers.
Celebrate the heroes.
We welcome community leaders, educators, families, and anyone curious about the people making a difference close to home.
RSVP required for all attendees
All attendees must RSVP before attending the event. Please complete the registration form below.
所有参加活动的人员均需提前 RSVP 报名。
RSVP / Register now ↗WHEREChinese American Museum DC
729 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005WHEN
729 15th St NW
Washington, DC 20005WHEN
Sunday, October 25, 2026
2:30–4:00 PM ET
Check-in from 2:00 PM
Guest remarks, awards, student showcases,
exhibition viewing, interviews, and light refreshments.