Dave Hebestreit (1971–2024) was a dedicated and passionate member of the NEHS Advisory Council for many years. A steadfast advocate for student writing, he believed in the transformative power of words and the importance of sharing one’s journey through storytelling. His enthusiasm for literature, education, and adventure left a lasting impact on the NEHS community.
To honor this legacy, NEHS has founded the Hebestreit Award to celebrate Dave’s spirit of exploration—both in life and in writing. This award invites NEHS student members and Chapter Advisors to reflect on the meaningful adventures they have undertaken, whether short or long, close to home or far-flung, that have shaped their understanding of the world.
Through their stories, recipients of the Hebestreit Award continue Dave’s mission of inspiring curiosity, courage, and a lifelong love of learning.
Awards
Winning students will be notified by email and will have their written work published on the NEHS Museletter blog.
Three winning student members and Chapter Advisors (6 total) will each receive a check of $200. One overall winning student member and Chapter Advisor will also receive a commemorative glass award plate.
The Advisory Council decided upon awarding commemorative glass plates to honor a tradition of “plate” awards started by Dave Hebestreit at Churchill High School in Livonia, MI. Those awards, given out to deserving members of his chapters, recognized excellence in a meaningful and unique way. That tradition inspired us to continue his work of celebrating achievements through plate awards.
Eligibility
Applicants must be enrolled NEHS student members or Chapter Advisors at a school with an active NEHS chapter.
Submission Requirements
David Hebestreit was a lifelong adventurer, both in spirit and practice. As the owner of a sailboat, he cherished the sense of freedom and reflection that came with navigating open waters—charting a course, adjusting to shifting winds, and enjoying the journey even when the destination was unclear.
For 2026, the Hebestreit Award for Adventure Writing invites submissions that take literal or symbolic inspiration from the metaphor of sailing: the exhilaration of the unknown, the challenges of navigating change, and the insights found in the quiet between storms.
Applicants must submit an original piece in one of the following genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, hybrid forms, or graphic storytelling. Submissions should be no more than 850 words and should reflect the spirit of discovery, resilience, and contemplation that defined Dave’s voyages—both on the water and in life.
Submission Process
- All submissions must be made via the NEHS AwardSpring platform during the Spring Awards Cycle.
- Student members must upload a Microsoft Word file (.doc/.docx) containing the text written by the applicant.
- Applicants must complete demographic data questions prior to submitting their documentation.
- All student writers must include a 150-word (max.) third-person biography and high-resolution portrait photo.
- Applicants must agree that they are willing to provide a written report and photos detailing the impact the creative process and this award have had on them, which can be used by NEHS to promote this and other opportunities in future years should they win an award.
Evaluation Process
- All submissions will be evaluated by at least three members of the NEHS evaluation team.
- The written part of the submission will be evaluated against a rubric containing (but not limited to) the following categories:
- Exploration of Theme (see above)
- Creativity & Originality
- Genre Execution & Structure
- Language & Style
- Reflection & Depth of Thought
Adventure Writing Resources
- Writing a Travel Story: The Art of Turning Your Destination into a Compelling Read (Pitch, Travel, Write)
- Travel writing 101: How to turn your trips into a tale (Adventure.com)
- 10 Tips and 6 Elements of a Good Adventure Story (The Urban Writers)
- How To Write About Real-Life Adventures (Writers & Artists)
