Tyler Oakley, Taco Bell To Award $30,000 To A Teen Scholar

There’s a reason Tyler Oakley is popping up in the news recently, and it’s not because of his hair. The YouTube celebrity is looking to award $30,000 in partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens to a deserving high school student who is eager to inspire others.

The “Graduate for Más” Teen Scholar contest will award its winning student with more than just $30,000. The 2015 Scholar will also receive a year-long experience through the Graduate for Más program, hold the title as the Teen Scholar for the Foundation, be featured on in-store materials, have a chance to collaborate with the Foundation’s celebrities, and participate in a Taco Bell TV ad.

“Being involved in the search to find the next Teen Scholar is a big deal for me. I’m excited to be part of an organization that is providing life-changing opportunities and the right resources to teens,” said Oakley in a release. “Most of my viewers are teens, and they are passionate about so many different causes. The next Teen Scholar will help spread the inspiration to their peers to change the world!”

Oakley is acting as an ambassador for this inaugural “Graduate for Más” Teen Scholar contest, which was only a pilot program last year. Regina Borda

, Managing Director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, said in the release Oakley is a “perfect example of someone who turned their dreams into reality through hard work and commitment, and now is a voice to millions on YouTube.” Students can enter the contest by both promising to graduate and submitting a video entry on GraduateforMas.com explaining why they’re a good fit and how they can help others if awarded the scholarship. The winner will be chosen according to on-screen talent, content creation skills, education, work ethic, ability to interact with others, and “a passion to Live Más.”

“The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens inspires and enables future leaders in a way that’s fun and rewarding, and we will select an exceptional teen to be the 2015 Scholar,” said Borda in the release. “We are looking forward to receiving many great applications, and I already know that choosing from all of the amazing candidates will be hard!”

The “Graduate for Más” Teen Scholar contest runs until Wednesday, September 17, and is open to all American students. Head on over to GraduateforMas.com to submit your entry, and don’t forget to tell your friends if you think they have a chance at becoming Taco Bell’s 2015 Teen Scholar.