What is it?

Topeka’s Top 20 Under 40 program provides the Jayhawk Area Council with the opportunity to honor the leaders around us and to demonstrate to younger generations, the qualities great leaders possess, all while raising funds to ensure these youth development programs are available to all youth in the service area.

What’s the process?

- Individuals between the ages of 18 and 40 (as of May 31 of year nominated) are nominated for the honor.

- Once applications are received, they are reviewed by a selection committee made up of  Topeka and Shawnee County community, government and business leaders.

- After a thorough and thoughtful review by the selection committee, the honorees will be announced late August.

- After the 20 honorees are made aware of the selection, a number of requests are made of the individuals. They will be asked to participate in a photo shoot, provide information for a television recording, submit banquet invitation lists, and attend socials and the honoree banquet.

Who are the Selection Committee and Steering Committee Members?

- The Steering Committee is a group of individuals who oversee the planning and execution for the program. They are community members, business leaders and some are even past 20 Under 40 Honorees.

- The Selection Committee is a separate group of business and community leaders who are asked to do the heavy lifting of reading EVERY application and making the tough decision of who to honor this year. None of the Selection committee members are members of the Steering Committee. This keeps them totally autonomous from the rest of the process.

Who does the banquet support?

The nearly 2,500 youth of the Jayhawk Area Council, Boy Scouts of America

If I’m selected, is my company on the “hook” for a donation?

Only if they want to sponsor or attend the banquet. Unlike other honoree type events, we don’t require the honoree’s business to purchase a table, sponsor or even attend the banquet. But we hope they do! Not only because you deserve it, but because it’s our way to raise funds to support the youth in our community.

Tips in completing the application.

There are number of comments made by past selection committee members as to what they are looking for in applications.  While the selection committee changes each year, below are common comments made to take note of.

1. 1. Complete the entire application.  The more information you provide the better the committee understands who you are.
   2. Grammar is important. Many that sit on the selection committee are in HR positions, positions of leadership in their company, or read applications on a regular basis.  You do not want them to be distracted by grammar and spelling issues and not see you for the person you are.
   3. Be real!  Do not put accomplishments in your application that are not yours.  In the same token, be accurate in what you are taking credit for.  Past candidates have not made it past the first round because those on the committee notice the candidate has misrepresented themselves.  Do not be that person.
   4. Have someone else read your application.  When we have to write about ourselves, we sometimes are too humble or do not think something is important.  Having a trusted person review your application and offer critical comments not only helps you present a clear picture of yourself but can also help identifying those grammar or spelling errors.  We all need to have someone look over our work. They can see what we miss.
   5. Take your time.  Do not rush through the application.  Answer the questions on another sheet and that you can look over, edit, and then copy and paste them into the application.  That way you can make sure what you submit is who you are.
   6. Less is more.  You do not have to fill the application with a lot of extra words. Use your space to do the best job at representing you.  The Selection Committee can tell when one is just trying to fill space.
   7. Seek the advise of others.  Look at the list of past honorees. They can provide insight as to what they did when they were going through this process.  Keep in mind, this process has continued to evolve every year. Even with those changes, the basic process is still very similar.  Past honorees are always willing to lend a hand.
   8. Don't get discouraged.  Annually, there are close to 200 nominations that are narrowed down to just 20 slots.  Most of our past honorees did not make it the first time they were nominated and applied.  That does not mean you were not a good candidate.  It only means that there were many good candidates and we only have 20 spaces.  If you have applied in the past, a full year's worth of new accomplishments and participation just might be what gets your application selected for this year. When you look at our past honorees, you will see people that are still impacting Topeka and Shawnee County.

Please consider attending a Nominee Information Session to be held in May and June. Nominees will be notified of the date, time and location.

Good luck!