Spirit of Youth

Makena Desermia approached Seward Arts Council in the spring of 2025 because she had a vision of bringing a music camp back to Seward for community students. For six months she worked with Seward Arts Council arts and music programming coordinators to connect with Alaskan musicians, write grants, network with music programs across the state, and find enough instruments to put on a full-scale music camp for our community. The camp hosted seven musicians and 43 students for five days of instruction, community music performances, one community dance and a standing-room-only parent concert. Makena created something much bigger than just a music camp, she brought people together.

• Home Town Seward
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Innovator, Visionary, Dreamer

Wayne has made a significant impact on the Gruening Middle School debate program through his dedication, leadership, and passion for debate. Over the past three years, he volunteered as a judge and recently joined the coaching team—organizing scrimmages, leading weekly practices, and presenting complex topics in an engaging way for students. Under his mentorship, the team won two Junior Varsity titles, reached the Varsity Semifinals three times, and earned several best speaker awards. Wayne earned the 2024 ASAA State Policy Speaker Award, qualified for NSDA Nationals, and now serves as Director of Recruitment for the Outreach Debate nonprofit. His commitment to fostering respectful, informed dialogue inspires younger students and strengthens civil discourse in today’s world.

• Home Town Chugiak
• School District ASD
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Olivia leads with creativity and purpose, using her talents to amplify youth voices. She co-developed a teen wellness video by organizing a student team, setting a timeline, and guiding the creative process from start to finish. She took an active role in spoken word, photography, music, and video editing to deliver content that supports mental health and self-expression. Olivia also produced a 90-second video for the NBCU Academy, offering teens simple, effective tools to manage stress. Through her leadership and vision, she empowers others to share their stories and build confidence.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Dreamer

Gabrielle Morton leads with purpose and heart. She created Color Them with Kindness to help kids stand up to bullying and grow in faith. Through this platform, she shares her story, teaches confidence, and spreads kindness. Gabrielle has reached over 2,000 people in Alaska and other states, giving out handmade crayons, scripture cards, and bracelets. She volunteers over 500 hours each year, serving veterans, first responders, and local groups. Her work earned her several awards and a feature on the cover of Uplift Universe Magazine.

• Home Town Eagle River
• School District NA
• Award Category Role Model

The T3 Alaska student group in Wrangell demonstrated remarkable innovation and leadership through their work on the Capitol Christmas Tree project. Collaborating with inventor Brian Ashton, the students designed a life support system using salmon incubation technology to keep the 80-foot Sitka spruce alive during its 4,000-mile journey to Washington, D.C. Their system ensured the tree’s hydration and oxygenation, successfully preserving its health for six weeks.

This project not only addressed a complex challenge but also fostered community pride and collaboration, inspiring other students to engage in local projects. The students’ adaptability, dedication, and teamwork led to the healthiest Capitol Christmas tree ever seen, highlighting their role as problem-solvers and community leaders. Their work serves as a model for how youth can make a meaningful impact with the support of their community.

• Home Town Wrangell
• School District Wrangell School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Innovator

Jackson has shown exceptional initiative as a See Stories Intern, creating a short film on the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) for statewide classes. He conducted over seven interviews with diverse voices, including Alaska Native Elders and former Governor Frank Murkowski, showcasing his maturity and organizational skills.

Beyond academics, Jackson mentors middle school students in filmmaking and is creating a documentary on declining salmon populations in Wrangell, aiming to raise awareness at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Balancing school, work, and family, Jackson is an inspiring leader in his community.

• Home Town Wrangell
• School District Wrangell School District
• Award Category Dreamer, Discovery

Arianna is a talented artist and advocate who uses cultural crafts to address social and mental health issues. As a member of YAHA, they provide valuable insights to improve public health programs for Alaskan youth.

Arianna’s beaded earrings, symbolizing suicide prevention, were featured in the 988Create campaign, raising awareness about the 988 suicide hotline. They also helped shape the campaign’s theme and created materials to encourage Native youth participation.

Their earrings, highlighting the missing and murdered Indigenous women (MMIW) cause, were displayed at the U.S. Department of the Interior. At the 2024 Lead On! summit, Arianna demonstrated leadership, inspiring peers to engage in discussions about mental health and cultural expression.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Dreamer

Natalie Hannula is a dedicated youth leader making a significant impact through initiatives like the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska (YAHA), where she helps shape statewide health programs and shares youth stories through newsletters. In her school’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) club, she organizes events and shares suicide prevention resources like 988Create.

As the founder of Keys to the Future (KTF), Natalie addresses gaps in youth education about adulthood, offering workshops on financial literacy and cultural perspectives, including collaborations with the Alaska Native Tribal Heritage Center. With over 130 participants and 10 presentations this year, Natalie’s nonprofit empowers her peers with vital knowledge. Balancing a rigorous schedule and personal growth, Natalie exemplifies resilience and a passion for community service.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Life Saver, Visionary

Jayden Lampe is an outstanding leader and advocate for her community. As a Youth Organizer with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, she has led campaigns on food security and climate action, including helping youth from across Alaska call for a climate emergency. Jayden’s leadership extends beyond state-level advocacy; in her hometown of Utqiagvik, she holds key roles like class president, executive board member of the Alaska Association of Student Governments, and youth representative for the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council. She has also led efforts for increased state funding for public schools and inspired peers through her work on climate change and education. Jayden’s dedication to her community and her ability to empower and mentor other rural and Indigenous youth make her a powerful role model.

• Home Town Utqiagvik
• School District North Slope Borough School District
• Award Category Humanitarian

Angel is a quiet but powerful leader, excelling in both school and community activities. As a Junior, she participates in Student Council, Angoon Youth Stewards, basketball, and works at Eagle Espresso, all while maintaining top grades. Her leadership is evident through her commitment to projects like creating films for Angoon’s community, including a recent film about the 1882 bombardment of Angoon and its healing process.

Angel has traveled to Hawaii and Texas for internships and conferences, and completed a college-level course on community mapping. She leads by example, working behind the scenes to ensure success, whether preparing for community events or staying late to clean up. Her dedication to her community and personal growth makes her a true inspiration.

• Home Town Angoon
• School District Chatham School District
• Award Category Dreamer, Discovery

Raedyn leads at the Alaska Theatre of Youth, volunteering at school break camps and organizing activities to support others. He is part of the team producing Alaska’s first youth-led theater production, raising funds through various efforts. As the chair of the Public Relations committee, Raedyn manages media outreach and interviews. He also serves on the Stellar Secondary School Student Council.

Despite personal challenges, including being neurodivergent and legally blind, Raedyn remains positive and hardworking. He volunteers at the Downtown Hope Center, organizes food drives, and provides childcare for those in need. His talent in theatre was discovered through improv, and he continues to train in voice and ballet, enriching the arts community.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Phoenix

Splish Splash Productions (SSP), a youth-led group within the Alaska Theatre of Youth, has taken on the challenge of producing The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Over the past eleven months, SSP has raised more than $10,000, secured production rights, hired key staff, and found a venue at the UAA Fine Arts Building. Their leadership includes youth-driven decisions, from casting to production policies, with a goal to engage as many youth as possible and even double-cast roles for backup performers.

Through this project, SSP has not only developed their skills in theater production but also built their confidence, proving that youth can lead with remarkable success. They aim to take the show on tour across Alaska, promoting both the arts and literacy while inspiring other young people to believe in their potential.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District
• Award Category Visionary, Dreamer

Sarah Kim leads efforts to connect high school students with senior citizens. She founded Music for Hearts, a volunteer group with 40 teen musicians. They perform at senior homes and medical facilities across Alaska, brightening lives and raising over $500 for Alzheimer’s families.

Sarah advises the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska, focusing on campaigns like the 988 Crisis Line. At West High School, she founded the Self-Care Club and the STEM Tutoring Club. She also creates sack lunches for homeless families through Interact Club and teaches youth tennis.

Sarah’s work bridges generational gaps and inspires others to build community and use their talents to uplift others.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Humanitarian, Dreamer

As a program graduate, Tikvah inspires young volunteers to take on leadership roles and make a difference. She contributes to programs like the Resilient Warriors Club and REACH 907, giving youth hope and strength. Her dream to lead these programs shows her passion and commitment to creating brighter futures for Alaska’s youth.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matsu Borough
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

This group of students has transformed their school’s approach to recycling, starting a program four years ago that continues to grow and inspire. Initially focused on paper and cardboard, they expanded to include plastic and aluminum, working with local waste management and the school district. They’ve set a strong example by placing recycling bins throughout the school, collecting weekly, and tracking the waste they divert from landfills. The students regularly update peers and staff about their progress, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. Older students mentor younger ones, ensuring the program’s future even as they graduate. Their efforts not only reduce landfill waste but make recycling a standard practice for the school and beyond.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star School District
• Award Category Visionary, Role Model

Girl Scout Troop 436 is tackling microplastic pollution by advocating for a ban on plastic glitter in the Anchorage School District. Through their BioGlitter Initiative, the girls are raising awareness about the harmful effects of traditional glitter on health and the environment. They’ve taken action by creating a survey for art teachers, launching an informative website, starting a petition, and producing a compelling video. Each member plays a key role in the project, showcasing teamwork and leadership. Their goal is to present their findings to the school board and promote biodegradable glitter as an eco-friendly alternative. Troop 436’s efforts inspire others to make small changes that lead to big environmental impacts.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Discovery

Matthew Wilson is a passionate and determined young leader who brought the American Heart Challenge program to Colony Middle School, raising over $1,500 for life-saving heart research and education. Motivated by his father’s passing from heart disease in 2020, Matthew worked tirelessly as the liaison between his school and the American Heart Association, learning and promoting life-saving skills like Hands-Only CPR and the warning signs of stroke. Beyond coordinating the month-long challenge, he also organized and staffed a successful Italian Soda fundraiser during school track and field meets, showcasing his creativity and dedication. As a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the Colony Middle Tri-M Music Honor Society, Matthew continually seeks out service opportunities to support his Matsu Valley community. His leadership, compassion, and commitment to building a healthier, safer community make him an inspiring hero for hearts everywhere.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District MatSu Valley
• Award Category Life Saver, Phoenix

Anna is a trailblazer who has opened doors for adaptive athletes in Anchorage School District and ASAA sports, creating a smoother path for others who use adaptive equipment. Over the past four years, she has excelled as the only wheelchair tennis player and seated track athlete in the district, competing at the All-State level in track and aspiring to join the Paralympics in Alpine skiing. Beyond her achievements in sports, she plays sled hockey with Challenge Alaska, inspired the creation of Alaska Dance Theatre’s first wheelchair dance class, and performs with South High’s choir and orchestra.

Anna’s bravery, resilience, and leadership inspire not only youth with disabilities but all young people, exemplifying perseverance and courage. By bringing awareness and respect for differences to the forefront of her activities, Anna is redefining inclusion in Alaska. Her unwavering determination and ability to lead by example make her a role model for her peers and a true force for change.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Phoenix, Role Model

Arianna is an exceptional leader and advocate for her community, exemplified through her involvement with the Tundra Women’s Coalition Teens Acting Against Violence (TAAV) group. She has participated in numerous violence-prevention and community events, including writing and acting in peer education videos on healthy relationships, speaking at Bethel’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day march, and attending the statewide teen leadership conference, Lead On. Arianna takes every opportunity to educate, support, and inspire others while passionately preserving cultural traditions, subsistence practices, and stewardship of the land.

As a leader in JROTC, cheerleading, and her job at the fitness center, Arianna inspires her peers to engage in healthy, positive activities. She balances her passions with academic excellence, graduating high school with an associate degree through the ANSEP program and planning to pursue law school. Her dedication to suicide prevention, dropout prevention, and climate change advocacy demonstrates her commitment to creating lasting, positive change in her community and beyond.

• Home Town Bethel
• School District LKSD
• Award Category Role Model

Isabella exemplifies excellence in leadership, academics, and community engagement. She has achieved honor roll every term since sixth grade and earned membership in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. As Senior and Junior Class President, Isabella has demonstrated outstanding leadership, further recognized by prestigious awards such as the JROTC Legion of Valor Bronze Cross for Achievement and the Alaska National Guard Sergeant Major Award for Leadership. A state champion in JROTC Unarmed Regulation and recipient of the Adjutant General’s Certificate of Excellence, Isabella’s accomplishments highlight her commitment to excellence and discipline.

Her dedication extends beyond academics and leadership roles, serving as a Cultural Heritage Intern with the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association, where she aided Alaska Native corporate officers in meaningful projects. Through her achievements and example, Isabella inspires others, particularly Alaska Native youth, to excel in academics, leadership, and cultural preservation, demonstrating that success is achievable across multiple endeavors with determination and effort.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Visionary, Role Model