The 2026 Most Valuable Student Leadership Weekend, which was April 30-May 2, brought the Top 20 scholars together in Chicago to bond over shared interests, learn more about their new #ElksFamily, complete a service project, and get ready for college—but don’t worry, the scholars still found time to dance.
“Before this, I didn’t know what the Elks was,” says Karol Redondo, a 2026 Top 20 MVS scholar sponsored by Franklin, Ind., Lodge No. 1818. “Now, I’m here at the Leadership Weekend, and this has been an incredible opportunity. Just seeing and learning more about the Elks has made me realize that I made the right choice.”
Coming from Florida, California, Rhode Island, and everywhere in between, the Top 20 flew in throughout the day on April 30. As they arrived, they were greeted by ENF staff and given some down time to settle in, though most of them didn’t take it. After putting their things in their room, they were eager to reconvene in the common area to meet each other and play games.
Several past MVS scholarship winners returned to the Leadership Weekend to serve as mentors and scholar leaders, and they led ice breakers and activities to help the scholars remember each other’s names. Even after a long day of traveling, the scholars were disappointed when curfew rolled around, but they were grateful for the extra sleep when they had to be up early the next morning.
The second day started with an informational session, where ENF staff shared information about the Elks, ENF programs, and the important logistical information about the scholarship they were receiving. Then, two scholar leaders hosted a session about time management and avoiding burnout.
“Every person I met this past weekend was so incredibly welcoming and kind, be it the scholar leaders, the program directors, or my fellow Top 20 scholars,” says Brandon Chang, sponsored by Santa Clarita, Calif., Lodge No. 2379. “I learned so much and reflected upon my own path to today.”
After the workshop, the scholars headed to the Elks National Memorial and Headquarters. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the Memorial is a stunning architectural feat and a reminder of the history of Elkdom. When the scholars first stepped into the domed rotunda, their mouths dropped and soft gasps echoed through the room.
The scholars were paired off, given a pencil and a clipboard, and sent to complete a scavenger hunt throughout the Memorial, encouraging them to learn more about the history of the building and the Elks.
“One of the most lasting images in my mind is the rotunda at the Elks National Memorial,” says Elijah Borjon, sponsored by Petaluma, Calif., Lodge No. 901. “Standing there, I felt the weight of the organization behind the award. The Elks were not just a logo on a form. They are people, buildings, traditions, volunteers, stories, and generations of members who decided that supporting young people was worth their time and money.”
So impressed with the grandeur of the building and the benevolence within, the scholars stopped by the guide desk on the way out to purchase pins to commemorate their journey—and perhaps start their future collection.
Next, the scholars headed to Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit dedicated to providing clothing for youth in need. The scholars helped sort clothes by size and gender, and they quality-checked everything for rips, holes, and stains. Only high-quality donations are redistributed to the community, fulfilling the organization’s motto that quality equals dignity.
“I absolutely loved serving here and getting to go through the donations,” says Virginia Natale, sponsored by Harrisonburg, Va., Lodge No. 450. “Getting to do it with other people who also love service, we’re having fun, and it feels good.”
Service is one of the main things that sets Elks scholarships apart, and the scholars appreciated it.
“There are other scholarships and awards where, yes, you win a large prize,” says Matthew Vila, sponsored by South Miami/Coral Gables, Fla., Lodge No. 1676, “But with MVS, you’re flown here to do what you did to get the award, which is service. Here, service is viewed as something that is positive, that we want to do, that we aren’t required to do, but still do anyway. It’s a beautiful gift the Elks have been able to give us.”
After Cradles to Crayons, the scholars got back on the bus to head downtown to the Museum of Ice Cream. Stuck in Chicago traffic, the bus ride ended up being longer than anticipated, but the scholars made the most of it. They started a singing party with the portable speaker, and they danced in their seats.
The joy continued at the Museum of Ice Cream, where they were able to eat as much ice cream as they wanted, dive into a pit of sprinkles, smell different kinds of scents, and even taste Chicago hot dog inspired ice cream, which was served in a bun.
Despite the fun of the museum and the awe of the Memorial, the scholars still had one more activity left in the day: Tell My Story. In the Tell My Story activity, scholars are asked to draw their life on a piece of poster paper, and they are given four minutes to share their story with the group.
“My favorite part of the weekend was Tell My Story, because that’s when I realized that we’re all connected,” says Karol. “Even if we don’t have the same extracurriculars or even just the same background, we all have something that ties us together.”
If there was any lingering ice between the scholars, the Tell My Story activity broke through it.
“People spoke about their families, their grief, their responsibilities, their faith, their doubts, their communities, and the moments that shaped them,” says Elijah. “We were not impressive because we had never struggled. We were impressive because we had struggled and still wanted to serve.”
The scholars started the last day with the session that many scholars considered the thing that would stick with them the most from the weekend: a workshop on imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is when highly skilled people doubt themselves and fear that their accomplishments and skills aren’t enough.
“Imposter syndrome is a real, big thing. Before I got here, I was reading everyone’s bios and thinking that all these people are doing better things than I am,” says Lia Tavarez, sponsored by West Warwick, R.I., Lodge No. 1697. “But on the first day, I was having conversations with people, and I quickly figured out that we’re all experts in our own realm. One of us wants to do math, and another person wants to do nursing, and everybody’s just so highly good in their own category. Now I know 19 other people, where, if I have a question about something, I can go ask that person.”
The Leadership Weekend taught the students that they’re not alone; there is a network of #ElksFamily that is even bigger than the 19 scholars and the scholar leaders they met during the weekend.
“With other scholarships, you don’t really get to know other people that won,” says Rohn Mathew, sponsored by Bridgeport, Pa., Lodge No. 714. “With the Elks, you’re a family, and you become part of that family. Just getting to know your local Elks Lodge or the whole community of the Elks is really a different experience that you can’t get from other scholarships.”
Scholar leaders from the 2003, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2024, and 2025 cohorts served as leaders during Leadership Weekend. They answered the incoming class’s questions during a panel, they held office hours where scholars could ask more in-depth questions, and they showed the scholars the power of networking through the #ElksFamily.
For the last activity, the scholars went on a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan, where they saw the city skyline at night, ate a meal on the water, and danced. Some of the scholars were missing their proms to attend the Leadership Weekend, gaining an #ElksFamily and financial support at the loss of what many consider to be an essential high school experience.
During the final reflection later that evening, it seemed like the exchange was well worth it.
“The best part of my weekend was going on my phone and seeing that my prom today was lame,” said Aaron Sanders, sponsored by Southern Pines, N.C., Lodge No. 1692, at the final reflection. “I put my phone down and looked to my left and saw that everybody here was dancing. It was great.”
Many other scholars echoed the sentiment, saying that the dancing helped them get out of their comfort zone.
“I can’t remember the last time I felt so much joy, so much cohesiveness out of a group,” says Shani Tursunova, a 2024 Top 20 MVS scholar sponsored by Florence, Ky., Lodge No. 314. “Everyone was involved. Even when we left the boat, we all kept dancing.”
From their seats on the bus to the dinner cruise dance floor and back to the common area at the hotel, the 2026 MVS Top 20 didn’t stop dancing—and they don’t intend to. The scholars will take the moves and lessons they learned through the MVS Leadership Weekend to college, to their communities, and beyond. No matter where they go, they’re going to practice service, and they’re going to keep on dancing.
For 2026-27, the Elks National Foundation allocated $3 million to fund the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, which includes 500 four-year scholarships ranging from $4,000 to $30,000. For more information about the Most Valuable Student scholarship program, including eligibility and deadlines, visit elks.org/scholars.