Kid of the Year Finalists Unveiled

Nickelodeon, TIME and TIME for Kids have revealed the top 20 finalists for the first-ever Kid of the Year honor, a multiplatform initiative recognizing young leaders who are making a positive impact in their communities.

The top five honorees from the list will be featured in a TV special hosted by Trevor Noah. One kid ultimately will be recognized as the Kid of the Year, who will be featured on a cover of TIME with a companion story in TIME for Kids. The special will simulcast across Nickelodeon, CBS Television Network, TeenNick and Nicktoons on December 5.

Among the celebrity guests who are scheduled to make appearances throughout the special are Kristen Bell, Simone Biles, Brie Larson, Zachary Levi and Russell Westbrook, among others.

The top 20 Kid of the Year finalists were selected following a nationwide search that received over 5,000 inspirational kids being nominated. Each of the top five Kid of the Year honorees will receive a cash prize and have the opportunity to serve as a Kid Reporter for TIME for Kids with exclusive access to a Nickelodeon event.

A co-production of TIME Studios, Day Zero Productions, Mainstay Entertainment and Nickelodeon, Nickelodeon’s Kid of the Year is sponsored by The LEGO Group and Lysol.