East High School Interact Club worked on several community projects this year. From creating healthy meals for children to crocheting sleeping mats out of plastic bags for the homeless, they are fully engaged in making their community a better place.
Sarah has worked for the Forest Service for two summers improving trails and building trails. She also volunteers with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and is a trained emergency trauma technician.
Brandon is deeply involved in Anchorage Youth Court as well as his school’s JROTC program, both of which give back to the community through peer intervention, leadership training and volunteerism. Through this, Brandon has amassed more than 600 hours of volunteer time in Anchorage and around the state.
Jackson has been a volunteer attorney, Judge and Bar Association President for Kenai Peninsula Youth Court. He trains new volunteers and as president of the Statewide Youth Court Association he fully embraces the concept of restorative justice.
After years of struggling to find venues for all-ages bands, Zach organized an event called Spacefest at Anchorage Community Works. He fronted the $650 it took to reserve the venue, booked the bands, promoted the event, sold tickets and more.
Cousins Marguerite and Evangeline used their own money and funds collected from the community to donate 17 pet emergency oxygen mask kits to fire stations across the Kenai Peninsula. Their goal is to provide these life-saving tools to every fire station in the state.
Dolly Ann is a leader in her small community of Igiugig. She guides her classmates in fundraising activities, banking and finance, service learning projects, caring for elders, and organizing after school activities. Dolly Ann takes pride in her home and has volunteered with a community beautification project.
Hannah spent three months in India helping disadvantaged orphans. From this deeply moving experience she now understands how inequalities play out in her own community, state, nation and world. She teaches others how the power of an individual can make a difference.
This winter Dimond and South High hockey teams asked players and their fellow students to donate goods and funds to Brother Francis Shelter as a part of their scheduled hockey game. They raised nearly $5,000 and donated more than 1000 items.
Bailey has overcome many challenges in her life. She uses her experiences to mentor other teens who suffer from depression and anxiety. She doesn’t let her health problems get in the way of her extensive community service with HOPE worldwide.
Naasha is a leader in helping others reach their potential in STEM programs. She is a member of a robotics team that provides outreach to the community. She loves to dance and participates weekly in the Unangan Dance Group.
Konaa is a member of the Anchorage Maker Space Robotics Program where he leads outreach programs to teach the community about STEM activities. He is also a dancer and drummer in the Unangan dance group.
Baahii is a member of a robotics team where he leads an outreach program to teach the community about STEM programs. He is also part of a Native dance group where he revitalizes his culture and language.
Michael has volunteered with the Arctic Winter Games, Salvation Army, Love Inc. and Food Bank of Alaska. In addition to volunteering for school activities he also mentors a kindergarten student.
Jamal helps elders in his small village of Kotlik. There are no roads and people have to walk to get from here to there. Jamal picks up elders in his 4-wheeler and takes them where they need to go.
Kiara spent a year abroad in China and now helps students back home with learning about exchange student programs. By sharing her experiences of living, traveling and going to school in another country she inspires her peers to seek a global cultural education.
Port Graham Student Council put together fundraisers so their school could have art classes. Middle and high school students lead the younger students in bi-monthly art projects, which creates strong relationships within the community.
Brianna is dedicated to educating her community about childhood cancer. In honor of her close friend who passed away she coordinated a fundraiser and collected more than $1,400 for the community.
Conor is a corporal in the Marines JROTC where he is an example for his peers that setting goals is a positive step in achieving success. He is also an active member of North Star Youth Court where he serves as an attorney, board member, PR person and ethics council member.
