Melissa volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Melissa also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase […]
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Alexi volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Alexi also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase […]
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Phoebe is a youth leader working with the Copper River Watershed Project to strengthen recycling and environmental stewardship in Cordova. She helps lead an aluminum can recycling program, collaborates with teachers and school administrators to engage students across grade levels, and supports community outreach through events and local media. Phoebe also assists with hands-on environmental […]
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Morgan is a youth leader working with the Copper River Watershed Project to strengthen recycling and environmental stewardship in Cordova. She helps lead an aluminum can recycling program, collaborates with teachers and school administrators to engage students across grade levels, and supports community outreach through events and local media. Morgan also assists with hands-on environmental […]
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Angel is a youth-led leader whose work centers on cultural preservation, storytelling, and community healing. In 2025, she represented Southeast Alaska and the state at national and international opportunities, using filmmaking, journalism, and geocultural research to document and share the history of the Angoon Bombardment and protect culturally significant sites through technologies like LiDAR and […]
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Ollie is a highly motivated student in a rigorous dual-enrollment program who balances college-level coursework with a strong commitment to community service. She serves as Alaska’s youth ambassador for STEM Next’s Youth Voices in STEM Flight Crew, tutors math at a community center to address inequities in STEM education, and participates in the Anchorage Museum’s […]
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Betsy Jo Boeskool is an engaged youth leader who demonstrates cultural pride, initiative, and service through her involvement with the Filipino American Society of Fairbanks. She has led youth-centered cultural and fundraising efforts, including delivering a Filipino American History Month speech, helping run a youth-led Sari-Sari store to support Fil-Am programming, and organizing fundraisers to […]
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Ella is a senior at Dimond High School and an exceptional student leader with a strong record of academic achievement, athletics, and civic engagement. Through her roles in Student Government, Model UN, and as Secretary of the Anchorage School District Student Advisory Board, she independently led youth advocacy efforts around education funding and student opportunities […]
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Miley is a friendly, thoughtful young leader who is deeply involved in Native Youth Olympics at her school and through year-round events, where she actively promotes NYO as one of Alaska’s most important sporting traditions. She regularly invites new students to participate, educates others about the games, and inspires sportsmanship while helping organize events and […]
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Rebel is a compassionate and joyful 14-year-old youth leader whose energy, kindness, and empathy make others feel welcomed and valued. She is deeply committed to service, volunteering across her community through cultural programs, food drives, school events, fundraising efforts, and support for organizations such as Rotary Exchange, Parks and Rec, and the Humane Association. Rebel […]
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Emmanuel is a compassionate and thoughtful youth leader who demonstrates maturity, empathy, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion within his rural community. As a member of the Tide Turners youth leadership team, he was selected to attend the 2025 Lead On youth conference and has taken an active role in addressing bullying, promoting […]
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Emi is a dedicated student, athlete, and youth leader who consistently demonstrates compassion, responsibility, and initiative through her involvement in school, athletics, and community service. She serves as a positive role model by mentoring younger students through Norwegian dancing, supporting cultural traditions, and volunteering her time with fundraisers, her dance studio, and as a lifeguard. […]
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Olivia Okeahialam has demonstrated strong leadership and community engagement through a wide range of youth-led initiatives focused on education, preparedness, and wellbeing. Through the Youth Preparedness Council, she designed and led an interactive earthquake and volcano safety game, created classroom kits for continued instruction, and facilitated STEM workshops in local schools. Olivia also served as […]
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Yedidia is a highly driven, thoughtful, and kind youth leader who combines entrepreneurship, innovation, and service to create meaningful community impact. At just 11 years old, she founded YY Sweets, independently managing all aspects of the business while donating 10% of her profits to causes such as St. Jude’s, Sandy Hook Promise, and Women LISTEN, […]
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Brayden-Kai demonstrates exceptional leadership, resilience, and dedication to service as a senior at Petersburg High School. A National Honor Society member and state-level athlete in basketball and track, he balances academic excellence with teamwork and a strong interest in marine biology. Despite the loss of his father, Brayden-Kai has remained a pillar of strength, giving […]
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Emily Brubaker is an exceptional young leader who turns complex ideas into meaningful, lasting policy change at the local, state, and national levels. She led the BioGlitter Initiative, resulting in a unanimous Anchorage School Board vote to end future purchases of plastic glitter and address microplastics as an environmental and public health issue. As Alaska’s […]
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Miley has served as president of the Indigenous Leadership and Culture Club at West High School for the past three years, demonstrating sustained and impactful student leadership. In this role, she leads club meetings, facilitates discussions around issues important to students, and creates a supportive environment where Indigenous students are encouraged to embrace their identities […]
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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, […]
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Josephine exemplifies youth leadership through her dedication to cultural preservation, academic engagement, and service to her community. She collaborated with journalists from Alaska Public Media and KNOM to help produce a radio story amplifying the Siberian Yupik drum and dance tradition, Atuq, which was later shared nationally through National Native News. Josephine is deeply involved […]
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The East High School Interact Club, sponsored by Anchorage East Rotary since 2013, has spent 12 years leading meaningful service projects at the local, national, and international levels. Current Interactors operate the T-Bird Boutique, a free in-school clothing shop, and manage donations, hygiene kits, and shower bags to support students and youth facing basic needs […]
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