Ben Kolendo

December 31, 2023

Ben is the Student Advisory Representative of the MatSu School District School Board. In this role, he is an outstanding example to his peers. In 2023, the Adult School Board acted to remove the student representatives ability to offer student input to the Board of Education. Despite this, Ben has continued to represent his fellow […]

Read More

Keiren Fitka

December 26, 2023

Keiren has been working since age 14 and sought out opportunities to connect with his Yupik, Inupiaq, and Athabascan cultures. This includes being an Alaska Native Heritage Center intern, Raise Program intern, and Ilakucaraq program participant. In these settings, Keiren applies himself, builds bonds with other participants, and learns as much as he can. He […]

Read More

Jamie Twitchell

Jamie is a stand-out alum of a year-long Ilakucaraq cohort, a program that brings together Alaska Native youth in 9-12th grades. This program is designed to form friendships, learn and share about Indigenous cultures, and build confidence in their cultural identities. Although Jamie would never call herself this, she is a great example of an […]

Read More

Tristan Evanoff-Stickman

December 19, 2023

Tristan is a kind and insightful deep thinker. He connects with Elders and learns cultural practices while working at his family’s fish camp in Nondalton. Additionally, he has interned at a culture camp held on indigenous lands in partnership with Lake Clark National Park. He is stand-out alum of the year long Ilakucaraq cohort, a […]

Read More

Lily Gosnell

December 18, 2023

Lily is a founding member of Ketchikan Youth for Change, a group of youth who are dedicated to substance misuse prevention. Additionally, she serves as the student body president and serves on the school board as the student member. She has volunteered on the Lords Table, a program serving home-cooked meals to community members experiencing […]

Read More

Jayden Lampe

Jayden is the Parliamentarian for Barrow High School Student Council. She has been thee Youth Representative for the North Slope at the First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference. Additionally, Jayden involves herself  heavily in the North Slope Borough Mayors Youth Advisory Council.  She also encourages her peers to do volunteer work and join community projects […]

Read More

Charlotte Cruickshank

December 17, 2023

Charlotte has the greatest involvement in two youth led activities, serving as the current President of Partner’s Club at Dimond High School, and the lead facilitator of MHATS (Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling). She also plays Varsity softball and volleyball, is President of Zonta International Club and Mu Alpha Theta Math National Honor Society Club […]

Read More

Anamanu Tu’uholoaki

Anamanu is an exceptional young person. She currently works with children at the Hmoob Cultural Center of Alaska. Anamanu has volunteered by cleaning Anchorage, contsructing a blessing box to feed homeless. She’s spent time volunteering with Clare House, Beans Cafe, Food Bank of Alaska and Suicide Prevention Awareness. Additionally, Anamanu has gone on two missions, […]

Read More

Preston Maes

December 12, 2023

Preston is an engaged member of Service High Schools Partners Club serving as a peer teacher and community volunteer. He embodies the principles of inclusion, demonstrating acceptance and respect for the differences and inherent dignity of individuals experiencing disabilities. Preston takes a “see a need, meet a need” approach. His coaches honored him with the […]

Read More

Dustty Heckel

December 7, 2023

Dustty consistently connects with his community and helps no matter what he has going on. He has spent time volunteering at Scout Camp for 3 weeks teaching youth about branding, welding, archery, and survival skills. He also volunteered with Salvation Army in the summer to build food boxes and in the winter wrapping gifts. Dustty […]

Read More

Anika Biss

November 13, 2023

Anika has been a very active member of her church and her community. She helped form a teen volunteer program where teens spend time helping teach Sunday School to elementary-aged children and toddlers. Anika also uses her gift of music to play keyboard for worship at her church and school. She encourages young musicians to […]

Read More

Jackson Vincent

November 2, 2023

Jackson Vincent is a champion of justice, leadership, and spirit! Proudly serving on the Valdez Youth Court, leading as President of the Student Council, and even bringing that vibrant energy as the spirited mascot for his schools cheerleading squad.  Additionally, he finds time to involve himself in his schools theater production, Annie. He completed the […]

Read More

Innoko River Middle and High School

October 6, 2023

Shageluk has a three-mile road between the village and the runway which is under construction. There are ancient pit houses of Shageluk ancestors along the road. This spring, students at Innoko River School ensured their community’s history was being preserved while a construction company came in to resurface the road. Students put markers out that […]

Read More

Jamie Allain

December 31, 2022

Jamie participated in AASB Youth on Boards, where they provided feedback and insight to their School Boards. This took courage and heart on the part of the students, and they spoke about issues like mental health supports, suicide, the need for caring adults and best ways to support students in leadership roles.

Read More

Shanley Ekamrak

Shanley participated in AASB Youth on Boards, where they provided feedback and insight to their School Boards. This took courage and heart on the part of the students, and they spoke about issues like mental health supports, suicide, the need for caring adults and best ways to support students in leadership roles.

Read More

Riga Grubis

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.

Read More

Vianne Foster

Vianne Foster was a participant at the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, learning valuable skills of legislative process, advocacy, and leadership.

Read More

Jennifer Bell

Jennifer was a member of the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, gaining valuable skills of advocacy, legislative process, and leadership.  

Read More

Jeffry Alsup

Jeffry was a member of the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, learning valuable skills of advocacy, legislative process, and leadership.

Read More

Ellie Shaw

Ellie was a participant in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, learning valuable skills of advocacy, legislative process, and leadership.

Read More