On the final night of the 2026 Ultimate Life Summit, 7 Mindsets CEO and Founder Scott Shickler stepped onto the stage to recognize and award scholarships to ten remarkable young people. The students had spent the week learning, connecting, reflecting, and taking meaningful steps toward the lives they want to create, and each winner was recognized for the resilience, leadership, and growth mindset he or she had shown throughout the conference.

Unlike traditional scholarships, these honors require no application. Recipients are selected through continuous observation and one-on-one conversations throughout the week, with attention to the qualities that cannot always be captured on paper: heart, resilience, initiative, leadership, and the courage to believe in what is possible.

The Unlimited Potential Scholarship: A Legacy of Promise

Created 15 years ago to honor the memory of one of Scott Shickler’s first students, Omar, the Unlimited Potential Scholarship is a merit-of-character award presented annually at the Ultimate Life Summit. Recipients are hand-selected by Scott and Grace Shickler based on active observation, with special attention to students who demonstrate exceptional heart, drive, leadership potential, and the spirit of Omar.

Scott met Omar while teaching entrepreneurship at a New York City Boys Club. At 13 years old, Omar had rare entrepreneurial instincts and an unforgettable spark. Scott invited Omar to become a junior teacher, and he traveled with Scott, shared his story, and inspired students both younger and older than himself. Omar was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting, and his death became a profound turning point for Scott, deepening his commitment to understanding human potential and helping form the emotional foundation of 7 Mindsets and his life’s work.

During each Summit graduation ceremony, Scott shares Omar’s story and explains that he and Grace spend the week looking for students who reflect Omar’s extraordinary promise, resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and unmistakable spark. Past recipients, many of whom return as Junior Summit Guides or Summit Guide, are invited to stand and welcome the newest honorees.

What Recipients Receive

  • $3,700 grant: Funded through a personal donation from Scott and Grace through the Magic Wand Foundation, the nonprofit Scott co-founded. The funds may be used for higher education, launching a business, starting a charity, or helping meet family needs.
  • Lifelong mentorship and community: Recipients receive Scott’s personal mobile number and become part of an alumni family. Scott, Grace, and previous award winners continue to mentor, call, text, encourage, and support recipients through college, business ventures, and personal milestones.

The 2026 Unlimited Potential Scholarship Recipients

  • Ben, age 17, St. Charles Parish Public Schools, Louisiana
  • Khai, age 17, School District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Liberty, age 17, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

2026 Unlimited Potential Scholarship Winners with 7 Mindsets CEO Scott Shickler

7 Mindsetters Award

The 2026 Ultimate Life Summit also marked the debut of a new honor: the 7 Mindsetters Award. The award represents a major milestone for 7 Mindsets and Magic Wand Foundation because it celebrates student leadership and youth voice in their most authentic form.

For years, 7 Mindsets has served as the core corporate sponsor of the Ultimate Life Summit, contributing more than $100,000 annually in scholarships, support, and volunteer hours. In 2026, the connection became even stronger when 50 ULS attendees came from 7 Mindsets partner schools and districts. These students immersed themselves in the Summit experience and prepared to return to their campuses as Mindset Ambassadors: peer leaders equipped to encourage fellow students and educators to live to their full potential. As Scott observed the depth of leadership and promise within this group, the idea for a distinct new honor emerged. The 7 Mindsetters Award would recognize students who were not simply learning the 7 Mindsets, but living them through their actions, relationships, and choices.

Seven Students, Seven Mindsets

Seven students are selected, with each recipient representing one of the 7 Mindsets. Each winner receives a $737 educational grant that may support college, a business idea, a charitable project, or family needs. The amount carries special meaning. The first 7 represents the 7 Mindsets that anchor each recipient’s leadership journey. The number 37 is a reminder to live your dreams “37”: morning, noon, and night, three times a day, seven days a week. It reflects a commitment to living authentically and fully every day.

How 7 Mindsetters Award Recipients Are Selected

The 7 Mindsetters Award is announced on the final night of the Summit. Recipients are selected through continuous observation and individual conversations during the week. Honorees must:

  • Be a current student or recent graduate of a school or district using the 7 Mindsets curriculum.
  • Demonstrate an authentic connection to one of the 7 Mindsets through actions, conversations, and engagement with peers.
  • Show exceptional promise as a youth leader prepared to return to their schools, advocate for mindset-based transformation, and empower others.

The Inaugural 2026 7 Mindsetters Award Recipients

  • Micah, age 17, Reynoldsburg City Schools, OH, for Everything is Possible
  • Daniel, age 16, Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL, for Passion First
  • Hannah, age 17, Orangeburg Consolidated School District, SC, for We Are Connected
  • Jace, age 16, Decatur Public Schools, IL, for 100% Accountable
  • Nerissa, age 17, Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL, for Attitude of Gratitude
  • Breck, age 17, Louisburg Unified School District 416, KS, for Live to Give
  • Celi, age 18, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Fl, for The Time is Now

7 Mindsetters Award Recipients with 7 Mindsets CEO Scott Shickler

A Week That Builds Lifelong Leadership

The annual Ultimate Life Summit welcomes young people aged 15 to 18 who are ready to embrace growth, connect with peers from around the world, and take meaningful action toward the lives they want to lead. Throughout the week, participants engage in mindset sessions, supportive community-building, reflection, and experiences designed to help them move beyond limiting beliefs and step into leadership.

The students honored in 2026 reflect the enduring legacy of Omar, the power of youth voice, and the extraordinary potential that can emerge when young people are seen, challenged, supported, and invited to lead. Congratulations to the 2026 Unlimited Potential Scholarship and 7 Mindsetters Award recipients. We cannot wait to see how you continue to live your dreams, serve others, and transform your communities!