Spirit of Youth

The Shungnak Teck John Baker Youth Leaders were instrumental in emergency efforts when their village was without plumbing for a whole week due to frozen, burst pipes. They retrieved water and delivered it to elders, teachers and family members. Throughout the year they create PSA’s that inform community members about suicide prevention, healthy living, anti-drug & tobacco use, domestic violence awareness, and education, all in an effort to prevent catastrophes and save lives.

• Home Town Shungnak
• School District Northwest Arctic Borough
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Community

The Hydaburg Phlight Club is committed to being role models to younger students. Members of the club shadow elementary students during parts of their school days to help develop positive relationships and model positive behavior.

• Home Town Hydaburg
• School District Hydaburg City School District
• Award Category Service To Children

Nia volunteers at the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge where she assists with prep, set up and engagement of large groups of children from 3-5 years of age for the youth science education program. She is passionate about helping, volunteerism and mentoring youth.

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

Chevelle is a teacher’s aide in a special needs classroom where she helps students with daily living skills. She is also a stage hand in school theatrical productions and participates in the music program.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Peers

Devon is an inspiration to other students on how a positive attitude, a good work ethic and perseverance lead to success.  He uses his own life experiences to advise his peers in need.

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

Mason led her school’s Colony Closet project where unclaimed lost and found clothing items get redistributed to students in need.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Kyla has created a number of videos related to Kodiak culture such as the Filipino American culture, the effects of the 1964 earthquake and the Exxon-Valdez oil spill. She volunteers at the Kodiak Wildlife Refuge by assisting in closed captioning videos, prepping for youth programs and staffing the Refuge Visitor Center front desk.

• Home Town Kodiak
• School District Kodiak
• Award Category Science & Environment, Media & Technology

Simeon is a positive role model to his peers. He strives for peace and equality and helps to keep the environment of his entire class positive and respectful.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers

Alexis participates in choir, band and school plays. She is a hard worker and is dedicated to helping out her peers.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers

Ashley wrote more than 1,200 positive messages on sticky notes and affixed them to the lockers of every student in her school. This project had a profound impact on the student body and increased her peers’ confidence.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers

Wyatt participated in a cultural exchange with a school in Tuntutuliak, Alaska. He helped welcome Tuntutuliak students to his school and then spent time going to their school. He was able to bring back a wealth of knowledge about Alaska Native culture and share what he learned with his peers.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits

Emma has been the lead choreographer of the Colony Middle School musical each year. She participates in community theater both on and off-stage and she is drum major in the school band.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers, Service To Children

Burgandy loves to help others. She is tech savvy and assists her classmates and teachers with many technological problems.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers, Media & Technology

Linaya is dedicated to helping others in need. She volunteers with Mat-Su Santa and is an aide in her school’s special education class.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matanuska-Susitna School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Alicia is president of her class and volunteers each year for the state fair. She assisted with the Skyview and Soldotna High School merger and through student council has helped with relations between the two student bodies.

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

Grace is president of Colony Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society where she leads officer and chapter meetings.  The chapter is working to raise money and goods for My House, a local organization that supports homeless teens. She is a natural leader and role model to her peers.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Community

Isabella writes and produces news stories for her school. She assists other students in their media production projects and also regularly helps out at the local senior center.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Community, Media & Technology

Madison assists in the special needs classroom at Colony Middle School and prepares students for life outside of the home when they are older. She acts as a student delegate on field trips and helps out with the Special Olympics.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers, Service To Children

Brittany is deeply involved in her community. She is dedicated to helping people of all ages and participates in many community events.

• Home Town Iliamna
• School District Lake Peninsula Borough
• Award Category Overcoming Challenges, Service To Children

Colten is a leader among his Sand Point peers. He serves on the Sand Point City Council and works with with Re-Claim Alaska to promote healthy choices for students.

• Home Town Sand Point
• School District Aleutians East Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers