February 16, 2017
Samir Akal – Anchorage
Samir Akal came to Anchorage two years ago after leaving a refugee camp in Egypt. Going above and beyond what was required of him, Samir has achieved a high level of academic success. But his hard work has not stopped there. Living with diabetes himself, Samir hopes to help others combat the disease by working towards becoming a nurse. He has volunteered at Providence Hospital, tutored other Somali speaking students in math, and spent this most recent summer volunteering at the Mountain View Public Library.
Award Category – Phoenix
Alyssa Madrid – Kodiak
Alyssa Madrid has been a member of Kodiak Island’s Alutiiq Dancers since 2011, and is now training to become a leader drummer and song caller. Alyssa has also served as a youth ambassador for the Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance, and currently acts as the Cultural Programs Assistant for the Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak.
Award Category – Dreamer
Jivan Gordon-Wolfe – Fairbanks
Jivan has led a Make A Difference Day project in October every year for the past 4 years. He has also been involved with the Alaska Tobacco Control Alliance Youth leaders program for over a year, and has attended two trainings in Anchorage on tobacco education, prevention, and advocacy topics. Jivan has worked and volunteered for Green Star, and raised awareness of plastic bag waste.
Award Category – Humanitarian
Haley Edmondson – Anchorage
Haley Edmondson is an active member of her community and volunteers her time to better the lives of those in her community, particularly other youth. Her achievements include hosting a fashion show to raise money for Breast Cancer research, raising over $4,000 for the Children’s Hospital, helping to create a nationally recognized “Raise Your Voice” video with the Alaska Injury Prevention Center, and organizing bonding activities with life skills students attending South Anchorage High School.
Award Category – Visionary
Jackson Blackwell – Soldotna
Jackson has been involved in Teens Against Tobacco Use for the past 4 years. He has given tobacco prevention lessons to his peers, and has also testified to the Alaska state legislature on the importance of a smoke-free workplace.
Award Category – Lifesaver
Tasha Elizarde – Juneau
Tasha Elizarde works as a Peer Educator with the Juneau Teen Council, which focuses on teaching teens about healthy sexuality and healthy relationships. Tasha attended the 2016 Teen Council Summit in Washington DC and co-presented a workshop about youth involvement in advocacy efforts. After the summit, Tasha was invited to write an article for an MTV news blog. Tasha exhibits exceptional skills in leadership, writing, and advocacy.
Award Category – Role Model
Fairbanks Skate Park Coalition – Fairbanks
Fairbanks Skate Park Coalition was formed in April 2016 by a group of young skateboarders, BMX bikers and other action sport riders who want to create safe, fun skate parks in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Since that time, they have gained non-profit status, assisted in designing and refurbishing the North Pole Skate Park and then hosted a grand opening and competition. They have started working with our Borough and Parks and Rec department to get a new skate park built in Fairbanks to replace the 20 year old park that has become unsafe.
Award Category – Innovator
Port Graham High School – Port Graham
8th through 12th grade students in Port Graham spearheaded a project to raise rabbits that would eventually be used for skin-sewing and tanning hides. The students were involved in the process from beginning to end and used hands-on experience to build scientific and traditional skills. The rabbits were raised and treated with the utmost care and respect.
Award Category – Discovery
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January 17, 2017
Youth from across the state of Alaska will be honored for their hard work and contributions to the community at the Spirit of Youth Awards, March 23, 6pm at the Anchorage Marriott Hotel. Purchase your tickets here, and join us in celebration of the 2017 Spirit of Youth Award recipients!
This year Spirit of Youth is partnering with the Alaska Postsecondary Access & Completion Network for our awards event. The Network works to increase the percentage of all Alaskans who complete postsecondary education. The Spirit of Youth Awards will join their annual “Alaska CAN” conference expanding both organization’s reach and impact. To learn more or register for the conference visit their website.
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*Important note: If you are paying by credit card, please select the PayPal option and then the “pay with debit or credit card” button on the next screen.
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December 15, 2016
Way back in the ‘90s, during the era of Alanis Morissette, Dawson’s Creek and fruit by the foot, Anchorage teen Marie Acemah opened the Crooked Rascal, a small shop nestled on the third floor of the 4th Avenue Theatre.
The shop shared its quirky name with a zine (short for magazine) created and produced by Acemah. Selling records, and zines from across the U.S., the Crooked Rascal was more than just a store—it was also a community space aimed at fostering creativity. Patrons of the Crooked Rascal could borrow a shared film camera, or sit down to write at a communal typewriter.
In 1998, Acemah was honored for her entrepreneurship with a Spirit of Youth Award, and as a true rebel of the ’90s, Acemah delivered an anti-corporate acceptance speech in the form of a sonnet. Although Acemah had never heard of the organization prior to her nomination, being honored was an invaluable experience that she continues to carry with her.
Today, Acemah runs a digital storytelling business called See Stories, which works with teens in Kodiak and around the state,
“I just feel extremely blessed to do the work I do,” Acemah says, “and it’s entrepreneurial, which is what I was awarded for all those years ago. So, I feel like that [the Spirit of Youth Award] was the first step of, y’know, kind of positive reinforcement for my entrepreneurial side. And it’s not an easy path financially, and in a lot of ways it’s not an easy way to go. But it’s really gratifying, and I get to see the fruits of my labor with young people who blossom. And I get to nominate for Spirit of Youth Awards and kind of bring it full circle for me.”
For the past five years, Acemah has been working with youth in Kodiak to make films on local history. In partnership with the Baranov Museum, the films are incorporated into the museum’s archives and exhibits. Students who participate in the program get school credit for their work.
Most recently, the program received the National Youth Arts and Humanities Programs Award. Acemah traveled to Washington D.C. with student Rafael Bitanga,
“We got to collect it [the award] from Michelle Obama in the White House, and it was just, for me it was like the ultimate affirmation that you’re on a good path and that even when it’s hard and even when the pay isn’t super duper, that you’re doing something meaningful and important, and to not lose sight of that greater vision.”
Almost two decades after receiving a Spirit of Youth Award, Acemah continues to see hope and resiliency in the organization, “Spirit of Youth is a really neat program and I’m happy that I can connect my students now with it, and students from around the state can really shine this way. We need all this focus on positive energy because there’s so much negative media out there.”
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July 19, 2016
The Alaska Teen Media Institute is currently working in collaboration with Grace Art Camp in Portland! As part of this collaboration, ATMI’s Francisco Martinez created a short film about art and culture in Alaska.
The film was made for students in Portland who are studying Alaska this summer. Fransisco will be in Portland throughout the month working for the camp.
Check out Francisco’s film here, and don’t forget to stay tuned with all things ATMI!
*Contributors to the film also include Drew Michael and I Sing. You Dance.
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April 15, 2016
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January 14, 2016
“Teens are often painted in a negative light, but so many kids are doing outstanding and important work. This needs to be noticed and encouraged as an incentive for teens to keep on achieving and helping their communities.” -Spirit of Youth Teen Advisory Council Member
Help make a difference in the lives of Alaska teens and consider Spirit of Youth when you Pick.Click.Give. When you Pick Click Give to Spirit of Youth you are helping create, promote and recognize youth involvement in communities across Alaska.
Enter the Pick.Click.Give Double Your Dividend Sweepstakes when you give a portion of your PFD to Spirit of Youth by March 31!
If you’ve already filed, it’s easy to log on again and choose a cause that matters to you. A small donation can make a big impact.
Hundreds of youth get more involved in their communities each year through Spirit of Youth’s programs. Spirit of Youth helps teens prepare for careers, earn respect from people in their community and stay motivated to work hard to achieve their goals.
Just as importantly, adults touched by our programs have a higher opinion of teens and their contribution to our communities.
Spirit of Youth relies on support from individuals like you in order to make our programs possible. Shrinking grant dollars mean we need your help to accomplish our mission. Please consider donating a portion of your dividend when you apply online.
Thank you for your support and involvement!
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November 30, 2015
Nominations are still being accepted for the 2016 Spirit of Youth Awards. If you know any amazing Alaska youth, age 12-19, please tell us about them! It only takes a few minutes to nominate. Nominees are eligible to receive a $2,000 scholarship from the UA College Savings Plan. The deadline to nominate is December 31.
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May 6, 2015
The Anchorage Museum is looking for creative and curious elementary through high school students who love technology to inform, inspire and engage the museum regarding digital and technological topics. The Youth Digital Board of Directors (YDB) is composed of students from the Digital Generation, the first generation to grow up without knowledge of life before the Internet. Visit for more information.
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February 3, 2015
The 2015 Spirit of Youth Awards highlights 11 dedicated young people and unsung heroes from around Alaska.
This year’s Award recipients hail from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kenai, Juneau, Soldotna, Toksook Bay and Wasilla. We invite you to honor them March 28 at the Anchorage Museum at 7 p.m. as they share their inspirational stories.
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January 16, 2015
Nora Herzog and Madelyn Taylor found their voice through spoken word poetry. They started a club at West High School where they inspire others to reach into their souls and speak from the heart. KTUU’s Corey Allen Young has a full report on Nora and Medlyn’s passion for words in his monthly Spirit of Youth “Spotlight on Youth” series. ===> http://bit.ly/SOYSpotlightJan
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September 2, 2014
Alaskans aren’t the only ones who are impressed by our youth. The New York Times wrote a feature about Máire New, a Spirit of Youth nominee from Juneau, and her experience going to school at the Bolshoi Ballet academy in Moscow.
Click here to read about her daily life at her multicultural dance school.
Shana Sheehy sat down with Máire last year to discuss her achievements. Listen to the story here.
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August 21, 2014
MyHouse, a youth homelessness outreach center in Wasilla, is getting ready to open its steampunk thrift store in early September. Kyra Hoenack, a Spirit of Youth nominee, has been prepping the store all summer with other teens from the center.
Check out the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman’s story about Steam Driven and how teens put it all together.
And listen to Kyra’s Spirit of Youth story at http://bit.ly/Hoenack
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Anchorage high school students Kathryn Casello and Katherine Murray discussed suicide prevention awareness on Channel 2 News, KTUU.com August 21.
Kathryn, a Spirit of Youth nominee, is a member of the Governor’s Statewide Suicide Prevention Council and is a leader in Anchorage for educating peers about the recognizing the warning signs of suicide and how to get help. She has led talks with Anchorage School District students and helped organize a peer training at the Boys and Girls Club.
Both Kathryn and Katherine encourage others to not sit by while a peer struggles with life, but to stand up and do something about it.
Click here to learn about how these teens are directly contributing to their community.
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July 28, 2014
Youth from seven western Alaska communities met with Bethel’s Teens Acting Against Violence in June for the fourth annual Teens Lead Ahead workshop. Teens spent four days discussing the theme “Keep the Cycle Positive,” while celebrating Yup’ik culture.
The Tundra Drums has the full story.
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Are you between the ages of 13-18? Are you a youth leader that wants to make positive changes happen in your community? Apply to Lead On 2014 and join other Alaskan teen leaders in making a difference. Click here to apply.
At Lead On, national and local speakers engage youth from all regions of the state through presentations on various topics, including healthy relationships, non-violence, leadership, positive choices and community involvement. Youth plan and lead much of the conference.
The next deadline to apply is August 15.
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July 7, 2014
The Northwest Film Center’s annual Fresh Film NW (formerly the Young People’s Film Festival) celebrates the next generation of regional filmmakers by showcasing their work and circulating it around the region and beyond.
Submissions are judged by a jury panel of professional filmmakers and educators. Individual and group submissions from youth ages 13 to 19 are accepted.
The deadline to submit a film is August 1.
Click here for more information.
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The Imperial Court of All Alaska College of Emperors and Empresses (ICOAA) is pleased to open the 2014 ICOAA Scholarship Program process. Scholarship awards are granted for the 2014/2015 academic year.
Awards are based on economic need, scholastic achievement, leadership ability and contributions to the Lesbian/Gay community. Application is offered to Alaska residents with preference given to members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied community.
Download the application here.
The deadline is July 31.
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June 24, 2014
Are you working on an ongoing service project? Apply for a Summer of Service Award. Winners receive a $1,000 award to help make a lasting, positive change in the world.
If you are a young person already involved in volunteering, Youth Service America wants to hear your story!
The Summer of Service Awards recognize young change-makers and help them on their mission to help others.
For more information and to apply, click here.
The deadline to apply is July 31.
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Interested in studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics? The Alaska Space Grant Program (ASGP) is offering stipends to students attending Alaska institutions of higher education.
While all qualified students are encouraged to apply, women and individuals from underrepresented groups, specifically, Alaska Natives, Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information click here or contact Rebecca Lees at rblees@alaska.edu or (907) 474-6833.
The deadline to apply is September 12.
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June 2, 2014
Take fun classes at UAA this summer! UAA’s Continuing Education Department is offering youth courses in topics ranging from culinary arts to hoop dancing. Courses are $99-249.
To view descriptions of all the awesome courses click here.
You can register up to the day before each class.
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