The New Hampshire Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is looking for high school students for a new fundraising competition called Students of the Year.

The competition challenges students/teams to collect as much money as possible for the society over the course of seven weeks beginning April 3. Students must complete a simple application process to enter the competition, which is beginning its first year in both New Hampshire and Vermont, one year after Massachusetts was selected for the program.

“They had great results and New Hampshire has a lot to offer and it seemed like expanding to the state was a good next step,” said campaign specialist Bree Gillis.

Accepted students, or teams of up to three students, will meet with Gillis to outline a set of fundraising goals to maximize their outreach. The student or team that raises the most over the seven weeks will earn a $2,500 scholarship to be used for higher education purposes. During that initial meeting, Gillis will help students set a fundraising goal and provide strategies to help raise as much money as possible.

“They can set any goal, but we ask them to set it high,” Gillis said. “It’s a good way to keep them motivated.”

Gillis said that parent involvement is crucial to competition success, but that the fundraising is to be done by the students.

“It’s really whatever they can raise,” Gillis said.

The competition officially begins April 3, but fundraising can start at any time with any money raised now added to the total in April.

“We really leave it up to the kids to reach out,” Gillis said. “It’s a great way for them to make connections and find unique ways to get involved.”

Just last year, a student in Maryland raised more than $400,000 for the society.

Gillis said the hope for the first year is to have between eight to 10 students raise $80,000, but there is no cap for the number of students who want to participate.

There is also a Mission Award scholarship of $1,800 that is given to a student who showcases a strong work ethic and drive, but just may not have raised the most money.

The students will be celebrated at a gala on May 22 in Manchester.

To apply, visit studentsoftheyear.org/get-involved/become-candidate. The application deadline is April 3.

For questions, to nominate a candidate, or to volunteer, contact Gillis at (267) 324-8964 or Brianna.Gillis@lls.org.

Tim Goodwin can be reached at tgoodwin@ledgertranscript.com and 924-7172 ext. 231.