Laszlo Herczku Hungarian Spirit Award
Laszlo Herczku Hungarian Spirit Award
The Laszlo Herczku Hungarian Spirit Award is given to students in recognition for achievement in the face of adversity. Finalists embody the life and values of Hungarian refugees by demonstrating their commitment to community or family service. As with all Bardos Foundation grants, immigration history and financial need play a central role in awards.
Eligibility
- Immigrants currently residing in the United States.
- Students in their final year of high school or students enrolled in an undergraduate degree program within the past 6 months.
About Laszlo Herczku
This year's Hungarian Spirit Award is named in memory of Laszlo Herczku. Laszlo was a resilient soul whose life journey spanned continents. Born in Budapest and trained as a shoemaker, he escaped revolutionary turmoil to embrace freedom in the US. A proud Army veteran and devoted General Motors employee, Laszlo built a life defined by hard work and quiet brilliance. A passionate lover of boxing, soccer, and Hungary, he reveled in life's simple pleasures and cherished his family. Ever meticulous and warm—his charming "Hunglish" conversations brightened every gathering—Laszlo's legacy of determination and kindness endures in this year's Hungarian Spirit Award.
Selection Process
- Feb 1: Applications open
- May 1: Applications close
- May 15: Finalists notified
- June 1: Finalist response deadline
- June 15: Winners announced
Selection Criteria
The Foundation does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its grant decisions or operations. The Foundation considers a multitude of factors when making awards including GPA, ACT/SAT test scores, family financial situation, community/extracurricular involement, candidate's personal statement, and academic course load.
Student Award Details
- $1000 one-time payment
- 1 total winner per application cycle
- Awards are issued in recognition of past achievements and not restricted to finance any particular activities (award winners may use the funds in any manner which they see fit).