Spirit of Youth

Melissa volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Melissa also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase at Wasilla High School, encouraging her peers to engage with reading. Through her dedication, she is helping foster a stronger culture of literacy in Palmer and Wasilla.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matanuska-Susitna School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Visionary

Alexi volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Alexi also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase at Wasilla High School, encouraging her peers to engage with reading. Through her dedication, she is helping foster a stronger culture of literacy in Palmer and Wasilla.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matanuska-Susitna School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Visionary

Phoebe is a youth leader working with the Copper River Watershed Project to strengthen recycling and environmental stewardship in Cordova. She helps lead an aluminum can recycling program, collaborates with teachers and school administrators to engage students across grade levels, and supports community outreach through events and local media. Phoebe also assists with hands-on environmental education for younger students, helping teach about healthy watersheds and salmon life cycles. Her leadership reduces waste, protects local waters and salmon habitat, and encourages long-term sustainability in the community.

• Home Town Cordova
• School District Cordova
• Award Category Humanitarian, Discovery

Morgan is a youth leader working with the Copper River Watershed Project to strengthen recycling and environmental stewardship in Cordova. She helps lead an aluminum can recycling program, collaborates with teachers and school administrators to engage students across grade levels, and supports community outreach through events and local media. Morgan also assists with hands-on environmental education for younger students, helping teach about healthy watersheds and salmon life cycles. Her leadership reduces waste, protects local waters and salmon habitat, and encourages long-term sustainability in the community.

• Home Town Cordova
• School District Cordova
• Award Category Humanitarian, Discovery

Angel is a youth-led leader whose work centers on cultural preservation, storytelling, and community healing. In 2025, she represented Southeast Alaska and the state at national and international opportunities, using filmmaking, journalism, and geocultural research to document and share the history of the Angoon Bombardment and protect culturally significant sites through technologies like LiDAR and photogrammetry. Through award-winning films, conference presentations, and internships, Angel elevates Tlingit voices, educates broader audiences, and builds bridges between generations, disciplines, and cultures. Her quiet, values-driven leadership inspires other youth in Angoon by showing that meaningful impact can come from humility, courage, and a deep commitment to community and ancestors.

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

Ollie is a highly motivated student in a rigorous dual-enrollment program who balances college-level coursework with a strong commitment to community service. She serves as Alaska’s youth ambassador for STEM Next’s Youth Voices in STEM Flight Crew, tutors math at a community center to address inequities in STEM education, and participates in the Anchorage Museum’s Teen Climate Communicators to educate the public on climate issues affecting Alaska. In addition to volunteering with a local food pantry, the Alaska Teen Media Institute, and Junior Achievement of Alaska, Ollie consistently uses her voice to advocate for others. Her leadership and service inspire peers to engage in meaningful community action while connecting global challenges to local solutions.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ANSEP Acceleration Academy
• Award Category Innovator, Role Model

Betsy Jo Boeskool is an engaged youth leader who demonstrates cultural pride, initiative, and service through her involvement with the Filipino American Society of Fairbanks. She has led youth-centered cultural and fundraising efforts, including delivering a Filipino American History Month speech, helping run a youth-led Sari-Sari store to support Fil-Am programming, and organizing fundraisers to benefit children in the Philippines. Betsy Jo consistently contributes to community service activities and events, leading by example with humility, reliability, and a strong sense of responsibility. Through her leadership, academic and artistic achievements, and advocacy for cultural connection, she inspires other young people to engage, serve, and take pride in their identity.

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

Ella is a senior at Dimond High School and an exceptional student leader with a strong record of academic achievement, athletics, and civic engagement. Through her roles in Student Government, Model UN, and as Secretary of the Anchorage School District Student Advisory Board, she independently led youth advocacy efforts around education funding and student opportunities across Alaska. When proposed budget cuts threatened school sports and programs, Ella testified before legislators, organized a student walkout, spoke at school board meetings, and became a trusted student voice in statewide media coverage. Her confident, persistent leadership elevated student perspectives in policy discussions and inspired peers to engage in civic action, demonstrating the powerful impact of youth-led advocacy.

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

Miley is a friendly, thoughtful young leader who is deeply involved in Native Youth Olympics at her school and through year-round events, where she actively promotes NYO as one of Alaska’s most important sporting traditions. She regularly invites new students to participate, educates others about the games, and inspires sportsmanship while helping organize events and speaking at opening ceremonies. Through her leadership and example at West Anchorage High School, Miley has built confidence in students from all backgrounds and shown Native youth that cultural traditions are valued and thriving in Alaska’s largest city.

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

Rebel is a compassionate and joyful 14-year-old youth leader whose energy, kindness, and empathy make others feel welcomed and valued. She is deeply committed to service, volunteering across her community through cultural programs, food drives, school events, fundraising efforts, and support for organizations such as Rotary Exchange, Parks and Rec, and the Humane Association. Rebel also advocates for positive change by working to stop bullying and promoting access to feminine hygiene products for students, while balancing her education, friendships, and extracurricular activities with maturity and enthusiasm. As a key contributor to the Tide Turners youth leadership program and a standout participant at the 2025 Lead On Youth Conference, Rebel consistently inspires others to lead with generosity and positivity.

• Home Town Petersburg
• School District Petersburg
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Emmanuel is a compassionate and thoughtful youth leader who demonstrates maturity, empathy, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion within his rural community. As a member of the Tide Turners youth leadership team, he was selected to attend the 2025 Lead On youth conference and has taken an active role in addressing bullying, promoting fairness, self-care, and healthy boundaries among his peers. Known for his kindness toward both people and animals, Emmanuel leads with empathy while exploring future career paths in the trades and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. His international travel experience has further broadened his global perspective, strengthening his ability to advocate for kindness, understanding, and positive change.

• Home Town Petersburg
• School District Petersburg
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Emi is a dedicated student, athlete, and youth leader who consistently demonstrates compassion, responsibility, and initiative through her involvement in school, athletics, and community service. She serves as a positive role model by mentoring younger students through Norwegian dancing, supporting cultural traditions, and volunteering her time with fundraisers, her dance studio, and as a lifeguard. Emi also promotes global understanding by supporting foreign exchange students through the Rotary Exchange Program and fostering inclusive, youth-centered dialogue. As a key contributor to the Tide Turners youth leadership program and a 2025 Lead On youth conference participant, Emi shows a strong commitment to strengthening her community and empowering others.

• Home Town Petersburg
• School District Petersburg
• Award Category Dreamer, Role Model

Olivia Okeahialam has demonstrated strong leadership and community engagement through a wide range of youth-led initiatives focused on education, preparedness, and wellbeing. Through the Youth Preparedness Council, she designed and led an interactive earthquake and volcano safety game, created classroom kits for continued instruction, and facilitated STEM workshops in local schools. Olivia also served as a 2025 Flight Crew Ambassador tutoring students in math, participated in mentorship and leadership workshops, and contributed to the Climate Change Youth Group at the Anchorage Museum. In addition, her service on the Anchorage Youth Court and her mental health advocacy, through guiding Girl Scouts in financial literacy and producing a film on dance and mental health, reflect her commitment to accountability, resilience, and community wellbeing.

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

Yedidia is a highly driven, thoughtful, and kind youth leader who combines entrepreneurship, innovation, and service to create meaningful community impact. At just 11 years old, she founded YY Sweets, independently managing all aspects of the business while donating 10% of her profits to causes such as St. Jude’s, Sandy Hook Promise, and Women LISTEN, raising over $200 through fundraising and personal contributions. She also led a CRISPR-based cancer treatment concept for the Arctic Innovation Competition, earning the Fan Favorite Award for her forward-thinking approach to making cancer treatment less invasive and more effective. Alongside her projects, Yedidia maintains a 4.0 GPA and remains deeply engaged in public health and civic service through organizations including Anchorage Youth Court, Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska, and the Boys and Girls Club.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Innovator, Life Saver, Visionary, Role Model, Discovery

Brayden-Kai demonstrates exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication to service as a senior at Petersburg High School. A National Honor Society member and state-level athlete in basketball and track, he balances academic excellence with teamwork and a strong interest in marine biology. Despite the loss of his father, Brayden-Kai has remained a pillar of strength, giving back through youth coaching, officiating, fundraising, and leadership with the Tide Turners youth team, and he was selected to attend the 2025 Lead On youth conference. His global perspective, compassion, and commitment to uplifting others make him a positive role model and advocate for change in his community.

• Home Town Petersburg
• School District Petersburg
• Award Category Phoenix, Role Model, Discovery

Emily Brubaker is an exceptional young leader who turns complex ideas into meaningful, lasting policy change at the local, state, and national levels. She led the BioGlitter Initiative, resulting in a unanimous Anchorage School Board vote to end future purchases of plastic glitter and address microplastics as an environmental and public health issue. As Alaska’s State Lead and Advocacy Chair for the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA), Emily has worked directly with legislators and families, helping advance Alaska Senate Joint Resolution 16 and making Alaska the first state whose full congressional delegation repeatedly cosponsored the bill. Through public speaking, writing, and youth-led civic engagement, including winning the National Civics Bee, Emily empowers others to understand systems, participate in democracy, and believe their voices can create real change.

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

Miley has served as president of the Indigenous Leadership and Culture Club at West High School for the past three years, demonstrating sustained and impactful student leadership. In this role, she leads club meetings, facilitates discussions around issues important to students, and creates a supportive environment where Indigenous students are encouraged to embrace their identities and recognize their potential. Miley actively deepens her own cultural understanding while helping others learn about and reconnect with their cultures, fostering pride, belonging, and respect within the school community. Her commitment and leadership are consistently recognized, with her contributions acknowledged on a weekly basis.

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

Janissa is a committed and values-driven student whose leadership is rooted in cultural pride, perseverance, and civic responsibility. She worked alongside journalists from Alaska Public Media and KNOM to produce a radio story celebrating the Siberian Yupik drum and dance tradition, Atuq, which was later featured on National Native News. Janissa actively engages in academics, athletics, and cultural life, including performing at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in October 2025 before a statewide audience of Alaska Native leaders and partners. She showed remarkable determination by staying on her high school basketball team despite limited participation, playing full games without rest to preserve team continuity, inspire younger students, and demonstrate the power of commitment, curiosity, and service to one’s community.

• Home Town Gambell
• School District Bering Strait School District
• Award Category Dreamer, Role Model

Josephine exemplifies youth leadership through her dedication to cultural preservation, academic engagement, and service to her community. She collaborated with journalists from Alaska Public Media and KNOM to help produce a radio story amplifying the Siberian Yupik drum and dance tradition, Atuq, which was later shared nationally through National Native News. Josephine is deeply involved in academics, athletics, and cultural events, including performing at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in October 2025 before Alaska Native leaders and statewide stakeholders. She also demonstrated exceptional perseverance by remaining on her high school basketball team during a difficult season, playing entire games without substitutions to uphold school pride and model resilience for younger students, while consistently seeking learning opportunities that benefit her community.

• Home Town Gambell
• School District Bering Strait School District
• Award Category Dreamer, Role Model

The East High School Interact Club, sponsored by Anchorage East Rotary since 2013, has spent 12 years leading meaningful service projects at the local, national, and international levels. Current Interactors operate the T-Bird Boutique, a free in-school clothing shop, and manage donations, hygiene kits, and shower bags to support students and youth facing basic needs insecurity. They also partner with Anchorage East Rotarians on ongoing efforts such as mobile food pantry distributions and student-led fundraisers that benefit community nonprofits. Guided by dedicated teacher sponsors, the club empowers a diverse group of students to meet immediate community needs while building leadership skills, social responsibility, and a strong culture of giving back.

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