December 31, 2025
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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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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December 30, 2025
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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December 22, 2025
Mazelle is a youth organizer with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA). She is someone who cares deeply about her community and her culture, and she is a role model to other youth, especially Alaska Native youth, when it comes to learning her traditional language and being proud of her identity. This year as part […]
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November 10, 2025
Gavin is a caring and curious leader in Petersburg who spent the summer assisting as a youth mentor in our local Kinderskog program, an outdoor education-based childcare program. Gavin assisted in providing knowledge on local flora and fauna, safety protocols, and emotional support to younger peers. Gavin was also one of the early members of […]
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November 7, 2025
The Teaching Through Technology Alaska program (T3 Alliance) is a collaborative effort among students, educators, and community partners devoted to creating opportunities for students to become innovative leaders in their communities. Across Alaska, T3 students gain access to training workshops, career and internship opportunities, peer and professional networks, and STEAM technology. In Wrangell, the T3 […]
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December 30, 2024
Jackson has shown exceptional initiative as a See Stories Intern, creating a short film on the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) for statewide classes. He conducted over seven interviews with diverse voices, including Alaska Native Elders and former Governor Frank Murkowski, showcasing his maturity and organizational skills. Beyond academics, Jackson mentors middle school […]
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December 26, 2024
Angel is a quiet but powerful leader, excelling in both school and community activities. As a Junior, she participates in Student Council, Angoon Youth Stewards, basketball, and works at Eagle Espresso, all while maintaining top grades. Her leadership is evident through her commitment to projects like creating films for Angoon’s community, including a recent film […]
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December 19, 2024
Girl Scout Troop 436 is tackling microplastic pollution by advocating for a ban on plastic glitter in the Anchorage School District. Through their BioGlitter Initiative, the girls are raising awareness about the harmful effects of traditional glitter on health and the environment. They’ve taken action by creating a survey for art teachers, launching an informative […]
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December 3, 2024
The Dimond Green Effects NOAA Ocean Guardian Club has made a significant environmental impact, removing over 1,400 pounds of marine debris from Prince William Sound and over 1,000 pounds of trash from their campus. They successfully advocated for a community recycling trailer, maintain a robust school recycling program, and educate peers on responsible consumption and […]
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November 14, 2024
Kanna is a dynamic youth leader and co-founder of The Lynx Initiative (TLI), which gives Anchorage middle school students early access to STEM programs. Through TLI, she helps young students explore science and technology. Kanna also supports environmental conservation, joining beach clean-ups with the Ocean Club and promoting sustainability with Dimond’s Green Effects. Her entrepreneurial […]
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November 12, 2024
Josiah has dedicated three summers to the Kake Alaska Youth Steward (AYS) crew as both a crew member and assistant leader. Since 2022, he has contributed to environmental restoration, ancestral land stewardship, and cultural projects. His work includes restoring fish habitats, building the first traditional shellfish garden in Southeast Alaska, and addressing invasive species. Josiah […]
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December 30, 2022
With a focus on climate and the environment, Riga dedicates her spare time to projects within the Model United Nations project, gaining important negotiation skills. She also serves on the Friends of Creamer’s Field board of directors as its youngest member, and has worked at Tanana Lakes to remove invasive vegetation.
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Josephine (Josie) is the only Fairbanks representative for Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, or AYEA, a youth-oriented program that brings together young environmental activists from around the state to define and address environmental issues. This year, Josie is tackling the issue of food justice and food security in Fairbanks in an effort to improve sustainable […]
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December 12, 2022
Elizabeth is a motivated innovator who loves learning. Her project titled, “Development of Seaweed Bioplastics to Alleviate Environmental Plastic Pollution,” involved testing protypes of a biodegradable bioplastic cup, with the goal of engineering a cup that could be used in place of traditional plastics. With plastic pollution affecting the oceans, this is an Alaskan and […]
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December 6, 2022
Luke is a longtime volunteer in the Alaska Youth Stewards program, addressing the issues of local littering and regional marine debris across the Southeast Alaska region. Additionally, Luke serves his fellow classmates through a small school cafe’, managing all aspects of the business himself.
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November 6, 2022
Lauryn is addressing problems like renewable energy and sustainability for rural Alaskans, and is focused on the bigger picture of helping remote communities regarding environmental issues, renewable energies, and gathering people together.
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