Kenisha is one of seven siblings and has overcome many obstacles in life to become a successful student and community member. She is the student council president in Manokotak and represents the student body on the School Community Committee. Kenisha is part of the Community planning committee working on a five-year village improvement plan.
Reba is an active member of Sitkans Against Family Violence and speaks out in her community against issues affecting teens such as bullying, substance abuse and sexual violence. As a member of the Sitka Youth Leadership Committee, she participated in the “Choose Respect” March and is passionate about building a community of respect and nonviolence.
Archie tried to save a neighbor’s life by performing CPR. Since this traumatic experience, he has dedicated himself to educating his peers about suicide prevention. He has become a role model to his friends and classmates by helping them understand that they are not alone and help is always nearby.
Annett is president of West High School’s Hearts of Oceania Club, which provides support to Pacific Islander youth. She helps organize events, teaches traditional dances and finds ways for the group to get involved in the community. She is a mentor and role model to her peers.
Neni is a member of West High’s Hearts of Oceania Club where she is a dance instructor. She is well educated on all the Pacific Islands and contributes her knowledge to teaching the club members. She is passionately involved with insuring the Pacific Islander culture is shared and represented within the community.
Sera is a member of West High’s Hearts of Oceania club where is a role model and tutor to other club members. She was the only high school students to attend the Pacific Islanders Leaders Of Tomorrow program at USC where she learned how to influence change through governmental structures when assisting her community.
Henry joined West High’s Hearts of Oceania club after experiencing personal challenges. He has embraced the mission of the group, having become a leader in organizing club events and teaching cultural dances that help perpetuate the Pacific Islander culture. Henry is a role model and mentor to his club members.
Kassidy and Samantha spent the summer tending to Eagle River’s Town Square flowerbeds. The girls put in 40 hours each, pruning flowers, picking up trash and making sure Town Square looked wonderful for all of Eagle River and its visitors to enjoy. They also helped plant flowers in spring with the Chugiak High School Key Club and helped pull the flowers out in fall.
THAT Team visits schools to promote robotics education. They hosted a “build-a-bot” workshop to show younger children how to build a robot and program it to perform tasks.
The East High FIRST Robotics team not only builds and competes with robots, but they also inspire younger students to get involved in STEM-related activities. They host workshops in the community and visit local elementary schools where they perform robot demonstrations.
Naomi has taken an active role in advocating for public education for all students in the State of Alaska. She testified to state legislators in support of local, in-person school teachers as opposed to distance education. She believes schools can provide high-quality public education for all students despite budget cuts and legislative changes.
Alisa is passionate about marine biology. In 2015 she received the Ocean Youth Award for her dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. She was an intern at the Campbell Creek Science Center and has contributed to many re-vegetation and beautification projects around the Campbell tract. Her excitement and commitment to science is an inspiration to her peers.
Alta is passionate about the health of Alaska’s waters. She has spent four summers independently researching ocean acidification in Prince William Sound and has presented her findings at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium and the Alaska State Science and Engineering Fair.
Alleah provides child care during evening services at her church where she loves reading to children of all ages. She also participates every year in Operation Christmas Child, which sends care packages to children all over the world.
Paxson uses her love for volleyball to inspire younger girls to lead healthy, active lifestyles. She has coached a 5th grade team, kept score during games and organized an adult women’s team. In high school she and her team participated in the Spike Out Cancer campaign, which helped raise more than $35,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Renatta had a tough time adjusting to boarding school life, but she has overcome academic and athletic challenges in her time at Mt. Edgecumbe. She is captain of the volleyball team and basketball team, member of the National Honors Society and assists new students with campus orientation.
Virginia used her journalism experience to start a student-run newspaper at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. She participates in many community events including educating middle school students about healthy relationships and teaching disadvantaged youth how to channel their emotions toward creative endeavors.
Ahlena serves as a babysitter at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Her service allows parents to attend AA meetings uninterrupted without being concerned for their children’s welfare. She has been a huge sober support for the city of Anchorage.
Taylor and Kate planned, organized and staged a breast cancer walk at South High School, which raised funds for the Alaska Run for Women. The money raised by the cancer walk was a direct contribution to the AKRFW’s grants program and helped support breast cancer outreach, prevention and cure programs supported by the run.
