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Scholar's Day 2026

Top-performing scholars and families gathered for a weekend filled with recognition, meaningful connections, scholarship insights, and inspiration for the future.

Scholars were honored alongside fellow top performing students and families at our largest event of the year! Members received their FREE honor medallion on stage in our hometown of Atlanta, Georgia!

During the event, members:

  • Built their networks at the onsite College and Career Fair 
  • Learned how to access $2.5M+ in scholarships
  • Had their resumes and college essays reviewed
  • Snapped new pictures at the "Headshot Lounge"

Learn more about all the benefits of NSHSS membership at this prestigious event and discover additional details about the event below! 

August 7-8, 2026
Atlanta, Georgia - Loews Atlanta Hotel - C-Level (conference level)
Scholars Day

Moments To Remember

A quick look back at the smiles, achievements, and unforgettable moments that made this year's celebration one to remember. ✨
Together, we recognized outstanding accomplishments and created lasting memories. Thank you to everyone who helped make Scholar's Day a success.
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Additional photos from the event!

Download PIN: 6012

Relive the Highlights of NSHSS Scholar's Day 2026!

Professional Headshots Courtesy of SCAD

At SCAD, creative careers are launched. From award-winning academic programs and global locations to vibrant virtual learning and elite networking opportunities, every element makes your success possible.

From companies like Netflix, Apple, Spotify, Instagram, Gucci, Pixar, Marvel, NASA, etc. to even building their own brands, SCAD grads are everywhere!

For every creative interest and passion in 100 fields spanning art, design, business and STEM, SCAD has it covered. Not only will they prepare you for success as a professional in your field, they'll also provide opportunities to collaborate with related programs for truly mind-blowing creative experiences. 


🎨 Explore SCAD programs
🌎 Explore SCAD locations — Atlanta, Savannah, Lacoste, and SCADnow online
🐝 Schedule a SCAD visit — trust me, you won't regret it!

And now for the fun part… your headshot is ready! 📸

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Where Top Scholars are Inspired & Empowered!

Check out what past event participants have to say about NSHSS events - for high achieving students ready to lead!

What Scholars and Families Experienced at Scholar's Day 2026

Throughout the weekend, NSHSS Members and Proud Parents connected, learned, celebrated achievements, and gained valuable tools for future success.
Scholars were recognized during the signature NSHSS Member Recognition Ceremony and received their complimentary NSHSS Honor Medallions on stage, creating memorable moments for scholars and families alike.
Members and parents visited the Headshot Lounge for complimentary professional portraits, leaving with polished images to support college, scholarship, and career opportunities. *Check out the headshots at the top of the page!
Scholars and families connected with fellow members from across the country, building friendships, sharing experiences, and strengthening their lifelong NSHSS network.
Parents engaged with educators, industry professionals, and fellow families to better understand how to support their scholars through academic success, college planning, and personal growth.
Scholars practiced professional communication skills, introduced themselves to new connections, and gained confidence interacting with college and career representatives.
Attendees learned strategies for finding and securing scholarship funding while discovering opportunities available through NSHSS and partner organizations.
Students received valuable guidance on resumes and college essays, helping them present their accomplishments more effectively in future applications.
Proud Parents participated in meaningful discussions on student wellbeing, achievement, college preparation, and navigating opportunities together.

Both scholars and parents lended helping hands by serving as a volunteers during Scholar's Day! They assisted NSHSS staff with event execution onsite at the event. 

Scholar's Day 2026 Showcased the Power of NSHSS Membership

Including access to an extensive network of university, educational, and corporate partners, leadership development groups, and

$2,500,000+

in scholarship opportunities yearly

2,000,000+

fellow NSHSS members in your lifetime network

Scholar's Day Program Agenda Recap

Friday

August 7, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

Check-In & On-site Registration

College & Career Fair

Interactive Resource Spaces

Welcome Reception

Conference Kick-Off

Educational Sessions

NSHSS Member Party!

Interactive Parent Panel Discussion  

August 8, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET

Registration & Info Desk

Networking Continental Breakfast

College & Career Fair

Breakout Sessions

LIVE Podcast Recording!

Scholarship Presentations and Future Focused Panels

Activation Rooms

Performances & Presentations

Award Presentations 

Member Recognition Ceremony

NSHSS Members Who Shaped The Experience

Representing the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers, our 2026 Scholar's Day emcees set the tone for a weekend dedicated to achievement, connection, and future success.

Aaron George

NSHSS Collegiate Council; second-year Biomedical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin; FAA-certified pilot and President and Founder of STEMVest nonprofit organization

Emma Fossum

NSHSS Collegiate Council, rising first-year Business Administration major at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, former Miss Texas' Teen 2025 and founder of Miles for Music nonprofit organization.

Memorable Moments From Scholar's Day 2026

Throughout Scholar's Day 2026, attendees participated in inspiring conversations, hands-on learning experiences, networking opportunities, and celebrations that helped prepare them for future success.

Future Focused Panel

Saturday

“The Valuable Human: Important Skills AI Will Never Replace”

Highly esteemed professionals shared advice and experiences from their personal lives and professional careers relating to the theme and answered questions!

Attendees explored the theme "The Valuable Human: Important Skills AI Will Never Replace," gaining insights from accomplished professionals on leadership, resilience, empathy, ethical decision-making, and the uniquely human skills that will remain valuable in an evolving technological world.

College & Career Fair

Friday & Saturday

Scholars and families engaged with colleges, universities, corporations, and educational organizations, discovering academic pathways, career opportunities, scholarships, internships, and resources to support their future goals.

Interactive Breakout Sessions

Saturday

Participated in engaging breakout sessions around:

  • Competing in a Global AI Creativity Competition
  • Smart Student Budgeting & Spending
  • Developing Professional Skills
  • Exploring Creative Careers
  • College Funding & Financial Literacy

Session hosts included: Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Visionary Voices, Sallie Mae, NSHSS, and current educators.

NSHSS Member Party

Friday

Members connected through icebreakers, games, music, and informal networking opportunities, creating new friendships and strengthening the NSHSS community.

Participants enjoyed some sweet treats and music by DJ Ezzy while dancing the night away with new friends!

Proud Parent Discussion Panel

Friday

“Holistic Support of Your High-Performing Scholar”

Parents joined meaningful conversations with educators, fellow families, and youth-development professionals about motivation, wellbeing, time management, college preparation, and supporting student success.

Live Podcast Recording

Saturday

"The Art of the Pivot: Resilience in Changing Times" 

In an era of rapid technological change, the most successful leaders aren't the ones with all the answers - they are the ones who know how to pivot and who they can turn to when the path gets blurry.

Attendees participated in Q&A in the live audience for this recorded podcast chat with Sunny Davis Nastase, Executive Leader, Board Chair, Solubag; Former President, Enterprise Sales & Customer Solutions, UPS. 

Scholarship Winners Panel

Saturday

Members and parents heard "Tips and Tricks" from NSHSS Scholarship Winners as they discussed applying for scholarships, standing out in the application process, and finding scholarships that fit their goals. The session featured a live Q&A to answer all questions!

Featured Main Stage Speakers & Panelists!

Friday Conference Kick Off

Ferrell Armstrong, Senior Admissions Specialist, CollegeAdvisor.com

Friday Proud Parent Panel Moderator

Dr. Terry Henry, II, 2026 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Finalist, Digital Learning Educator, Proud Parent

Friday Proud Parent Panelist

Gaan Akers, Director of Clinical Education and Outreach, Hillside, Inc.

Friday Proud Parent Panelist

Nakisia Sims, 2025 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year Finalist, Special Education Educator

Friday Proud Parent Panelist

Raghu George, Technology Executive, Advisor, and Investor; Proud NSHSS Parent

Saturday Future Focused Panel Moderator

Fabian DeRozario, CEO, GlobalConnect Consulting; NSHSS Foundation Executive Director

Saturday Future Focused Panelist

Chad Buschell, Vice President, Peer-to-Peer Fundraising & Community Impact, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital/ALSAC 

Saturday Future Focused Panelist

Louis Gump, Author, President, Cambian Solutions, Fractional Executive & Advisor, TechCXO

Saturday Future Focused Panelist

Tanya M. Odom, Global Consultant/Advisor and Executive Coach; NSHSS Foundation Board of Directors

Saturday Future Focused Panelist

Jim Crick, Director, Partner Development, Encoura

Saturday Future Focused Panelist

LTC Tom Bazemore, Chief of Marketing and Recruiting, U.S. Army

Saturday Afternoon Presentation

Dr. Andrea Maldonado, Director of International Admissions & Co-Director of Educator Relations, National Student Leadership Conference

Saturday Afternoon Presentation

Allie Campbell, Recruiting Operations Specialist & Scholarship Manager,Gold Bar Recruiting Liaison; U.S. Army Cadet Command

Lieutenant Colonel Jeff Mennicke, Professor of Military Science and Department Chair, Georgia State University; U.S. Army ROTC Programs

Engaging Breakout Session Presenters & Guests

BrandYOU! Workshop

Presented by Business Professor Vincent Donroe-Wells, Savannah College of Art and Design

Visionary Voices Global AI Creativity Competition

Presented by Josh Lind, Innovation Project Leader, Visionary Voices

Live NSHSS Scholar's Connect Podcast Guest

Sunny Davis Nastase, Executive Leader, Board Chair, Solubag; Former President, Enterprise Sales & Customer Solutions, UPS 

Money Matters: Building Smart Budgeting Skills

Presented by Teresa Billingsley, Certified Business/Marketing Education Teacher

What's the Real Cost of College? How to Plan Now!

Presented by Kelly Savoie, Director, Assistant Region Head South, Sallie Mae

Think With Purpose: How Young Leaders Turn Values Into Bold Ideas

Presented by Eljin Rhymes, TPM Engineer, MLP-Owens Corning

Young Scholars Session: The Roadmap to High School Success

Presented by: Melissa Decker, Founder, R.A.C.E. Consulting 

Young Scholars Session: Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Future: building Healthy Habits for Academic Success

Presented by: Shivi Srivastava, Lead Instructor, YMCA

See more on Instagram

Check out the social media takeover of NSHSS's Instagram to follow along with Scholar's Day 2026!

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Thank You To Our College & Career Fair Exhibitors

Featured Scholar's Day Performers!

  • GT Dragon Flyers

 

  • GT Seoulstice

Thank you to our event sponsors!

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The Legacy of Scholar's Day

Scholar's Day is NSHSS's signature conference! Over the years, NSHSS has hosted thousands of members, families, partners, and friends at Scholar's Day events in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA. The first Scholar's Day was held in the US Senate in 2004! Senator Ted Kennedy sponsored NSHSS for the event to be held in the historic caucus room.

Over time, we outgrew the caucus room and eventually the largest room in the Senate! Scholar's Day moved on to be hosted at universities like Georgetown, George Washington, and Johns Hopkins, and then expanded to the Gaylord National Resort! 

In 2026, Scholar's Day returned to Atlanta, Georgia, where members and families gathered at the Loews Atlanta Hotel for a memorable weekend of celebration, learning, scholarship exploration, and meaningful connection. Together, attendees honored achievement, gained valuable insights for their futures, and strengthened the vibrant NSHSS community.
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Beyond Scholar's Day

Scholar's Day 2026 brought scholars and families together in the heart of Atlanta for a weekend of learning, networking, recognition, and exploration. While building connections and preparing for the future, attendees also had the opportunity to experience the city where NSHSS is headquartered.
Upcoming NSHSS Events!

College & Career Fair Connections That Inspired Future Success

Students connected with a full exhibition of colleges, universities, employers, and educational organizations from across the country, exploring academic pathways, career opportunities, scholarships, internships, and resources to support their future goals.

Want to exhibit at our upcoming Member Event at Columbia University?