in Manchester
October 8, 2026
2026 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW!
2026 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS BELOW!
The Rising Stars Awards
is more than a celebration of
New Hampshire’s
remarkable young leaders —
it’s the night for
YPs to shine.
We’re honoring the 603’s standout young leaders and the organizations who champion them — and we’re doing it in style.
Think high energy, good vibes, and a room full of changemakers. Dress to impress (wear the outfit you love but never get to put on!), raise a glass, and be part of the momentum.
In addition to celebrating this year’s winners (check them out below!), we’re pumped to feature live music from NH indie band Saguaro, and an interactive mural by Make It Pop Studios!
But wait…that’s not all.
We’ll finally be revealing some BIG Stay Work Play news we’ve been sitting on for a minute! We can’t wait to share the details with you in-person…you won’t want to miss this night!
The 2026 Rising Stars Awards are proudly supported by:
2026 AWARD WINNERS:
AWARD CATEGORIES
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The Coolest Employer for Young People Award honors an NH company or organization that creates an environment to attract and retain young workers.
VIEW PAST WINNERS -
The Young Person of the Year Award honors an outstanding young person working and living in NH who is a rising star in their industry and giving back to their community.
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The Artist of the Year Award honors a young person who, through their creative efforts, is making their community a more vibrant place.
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The Entrepreneur of the Year Award honors a young entrepreneur in NH who is helping shape the future of our state through their entrepreneurial venture.
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The Student of the Year award recognizes a NH high school, college, or trade school student who is an academic rising star and is giving back to the community.
Sponsored by the Education Alliance for NH
VIEW PAST WINNERS -
The Young Professional Network of the Year recognizes a NH YPN going above and beyond to connect YPs in their region with meaningful and engaging events in our state.
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New Award!
The Zenith Award honors an individual whose legacy of work has significantly advanced opportunities for young people in New Hampshire. This award recognizes deep, sustained impact in areas like policy, economic development, access, and community engagement.
View more
Want to get involved?
See more about our 2026 sponsorship opportunities below!
Know an exceptional young person, organization, or network making a difference in New Hampshire?
Give them the spotlight with a nomination in 2027!
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(What judges will consider when reviewing nominations.)
The Stay Work Play ‘X’ Factor - What unique qualities distinguish your nominee/workplace?
Impact – How has the nominee demonstrated leadership as an employer for young people in the state?
Innovation & Initiative – Has the nominee/workplace taken creative or bold steps to drive positive change?
Commitment to NH – How does the nominee contribute to making New Hampshire a great place for young people?
Please note: The strength and substance of a nomination carry more weight than the number of nominations submitted.
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A diverse panel of jurors—representing various industries, regions, and backgrounds—carefully reviews all nominations. To ensure a fair and unbiased selection process:
Judges with conflicts of interest, including nominators and representatives from nominator-sponsored companies, do not participate in evaluating related nominations.
Each nomination is considered on its merits, with a focus on impact, leadership, and contributions to New Hampshire’s young professional community.
Make your nomination count—tell us their story and why they deserve a Rising Star recognition!
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Nominations for the 2027 Rising Stars Awards will open in the spring.
Stay tuned for the announcement!
PAST AWARDS
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The Changemaker of the Year (previously the Civic Leader of the Year) honors a young Granite Stater who, through their actions, has affected positive change in New Hampshire or their corner of it.
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The Intern of the Year Award honors a young person in NH who has made an outstanding impact on a company during their time as an intern.
View more -
The Stay Work Play Leadership Award honored an individual or organization in NH that demonstrates dedicated support for efforts that enhance the recruitment and retention of young workers in the state. This award was designed to recognize ideas that have been put in place within an organization (association, company, nonprofit, etc). The idea(s) have a direct and positive impact on younger workers in NH, create an incentive for them to remain here, create greater awareness of what living in NH can mean to them in terms of quality of life or opportunities, and demonstrate innovation and leadership.
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The COVID-19 Crusader Award honors a dedicated and brave young essential and/or frontline worker, 40 years of age or younger, that impacted their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Leadership Development Program of the Year Award honored an innovative program initiated and conducted by a NH organization. This award recognized a program aimed at a young audience in NH that helps those young people propel their personal and professional growth.
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The Life in the 603 Video of the Year Award was awarded for a video submission that demonstrated why an individual chose to “stay, work, and play” in NH.