Spirit of Youth

Kayla has a passion for biological science. She has assisted in marine debris research projects, archaeological digs and fish habitat projects in the city of Yakutat. She has taken the lead on several youth science projects including researching the changes of Yakutat’s exposed sandy beaches. She also works with younger children in reading and math groups and assists teachers in prepping science lessons.

• Home Town Yakutat
• School District Yakutat City
• Award Category Science & Environment, Service To Children

Brandon had a challenging early childhood and overcame many obstacles to become a great example to his peers. He routinely volunteers with the Mat-Su Miners baseball team and mentors a boy with special needs.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Overcoming Challenges

Michael is a mentor to youth at the Boys & Girls Club. He always sets a positive example and is an exemplary role model. He gives back to his community through ROTC, Boy Scouts, and as a volunteer at the Literacy Council.

• Home Town North Pole
• School District Fairbanks North Star
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Joslynn is a leader in her community. She is a volunteer through Kenai Keystone, assists in an anti-bullying program at school and has done fundraising for Boys & Girls Clubs. She is a role model to her peers and inspires them to get involved in their community.

• Home Town Kenai
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Award Category Service To Community

Calvin understands how much the human spirit relies on support from loving and caring people. Throughout high school he was a constant source of support and friendship to two boys whose mother was diagnosed with cancer. He took guitar lessons with them, tutored them and attended church events with them. He set up a live video feed at their high school graduation so their mother could watch her eldest son receive his diploma.

• Home Town Kenai
• School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Chelsie is committed to helping her community. She volunteers with her church, at school and at Beans Cafe. She is dedicated to making people welcome and accepted.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Service To Community

Mauri is considerate of others, whether they are human or animal. She has rescued dogs from being abandoned and is always looking out for ways to do good in her community.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Service To Community

Nunta is active in bullying prevention at her middle school. She is always looking for ways to give back to her community and is a role model to younger students.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Service To Peers

Ryan is dedicated to helping her community. She volunteers at the local Pioneer Home, is a tutor to elementary school students and has assisted with numerous organizations around Fairbanks. In addition to her countless volunteer efforts, she also stands up for her peers who experience bullying.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District
• Award Category Service To Community

MacKenna is committed to bettering her community. She has assisted with putting together Thanksgiving Day food baskets for the homeless, played in her school band at the Pioneer Senior Center, volunteered with the Sleeping Ladies’ Lions Club, and helped out at the Kenai Funny River Senior Community Center. She is a role model to her peers at the Boys & Girls Club.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District
• Award Category Service To Community

Katie has spent four years raising money to donate school supplies to students in a rural town outside Nan, Thailand. With her hard work and coordination she was able to donate more than $1,000 worth of school supplies and treat the students to lunch when she visited there in March.

• Home Town North Pole
• School District Fairbanks North Star
• Award Category Service To Children

Lillionna is a reindeer apprentice in the Native village of Port Heiden. By caring for and establishing the reindeer herd in her community she is continuing the cultural tradition of providing a natural, sustainable food source.

• Home Town Port Heiden
• School District Lake and Pen School District
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits, Service To Community

Jake is a reindeer apprentice in the Native village of Port Heiden. By caring for and establishing the reindeer herd in his community he is continuing the cultural tradition of providing a natural, sustainable food source.

• Home Town Port Heiden
• School District Lake and Pen School District
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits, Service To Community

The Sitka Youth Leadership Committee serve as positive influencers for their peers through peer education, developing media campaigns, administering surveys, and coordinating workshops on identity, diversity, and positive leadership. They are making positive changes to end racial stereotypes and bullying in their community.

• Home Town Sitka
• School District Sitka School District
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Peers

Anna McDonald, Levi Purdy and Kyle Ruotsalainen are working with real-world scientists on earthquake research. They created four Global Earthquake Forecast Systems platforms, which have been installed in different areas on Kodiak Island. They are the first high school team in the world to be accepted to compete in the international university and business level Europa Challenge.

• Home Town Kodiak
• School District Kodiak Island Borough

Jenevia Jetaun has collected and donated more than 13,000 pairs of jeans for Covenant House as part of DoSomething.org’s “Teens for Jeans” initiative. She has volunteered with Special Olympics Alaska and Kids Kitchen for several years. Jenevia Jetaun also started the “You Are Not Alone” club at her school, which raises awareness for Alaska suicide prevention.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Service To Community

Thomas is a creative and inspiring force in the Mat-Su community. He has been a band section leader, band council member, drum major and mentor to younger students. Last year Thomas wrote an original score for the Colony High School performance of “The Tempest.”

• Home Town WASILLA
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Fine Arts

Makiyan has been a Native Youth Olympics participant for six years. In 2014 he competed in four major Native Games events. His dedication to NYO, self improvement and supporting others in the games makes him a great role model to other young people in his village of Unalakleet.

• Home Town Unalakleet
• School District BSSD
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits

Byron sings and drums traditional Yup’ik songs and writes his own pieces as well. He showcases his performances on his Facebook page, “I Sing. You Dance,” which has nearly 20,000 fans. His original songs inspire youth to embrace their cultural identity.

• Home Town Toksook Bay
• School District LKSD
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits

The Capitol City Fire Rescue Cadets learn the necessary skills needed to assist the fire department in basic fire ground operations. As members of the Capitol City Fire Department, cadets respond to emergencies such as fires, medical situations and vehicle crashes.

• Home Town Juneau
• School District Juneau school district
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Community