Spirit of Youth

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