Arianna Samson

December 16, 2024

Arianna is an exceptional leader and advocate for her community, exemplified through her involvement with the Tundra Women’s Coalition Teens Acting Against Violence (TAAV) group. She has participated in numerous violence-prevention and community events, including writing and acting in peer education videos on healthy relationships, speaking at Bethel’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day march, and attending the […]

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Alden King

Alden King, an eleventh grader at Steller Secondary School, exemplifies the transformative power of youth leadership through his passion for education and literacy. His most notable achievement is the expansion of the library at Kiaoni Day/Boarding School in Kenya, where he provided early reader books and textbooks to foster literacy and academic success among young […]

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Jasmine Yang

December 13, 2024

Jasmine Yang is a dedicated leader in her church’s Hmong youth group and a passionate advocate for cultural preservation and community service. She has served on a mission assisting Navajo elders in Washington and Oregon and actively supports the younger Hmong generation by teaching the significance of their heritage and language. Jasmine also contributes to […]

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Samaya Faber & Elizabeth Heidbrink

Samaya and Elizabeth are working with the Copper River Watershed Project to improve recycling in Cordova. Collaborating with local organizations, they’ve implemented aluminum can recycling initiatives and promoted awareness through newspaper articles, flyers, and outreach at school events. They also teach 5th graders about healthy watersheds and salmon life cycles through programs like Salmon in […]

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Emmerson Kapp

December 9, 2024

Emmerson Kapp, a junior at Soldotna High School, leads with passion as the KPBSD Board of Education Student Representative. She represents students from 42 schools, gathering their input and sharing updates with the board. At meetings, she delivers reports and casts an advisory vote, ensuring student voices influence decisions. Emmerson inspires peers to speak at […]

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Dustty Heckel

Dustty is a dedicated and active member of his community. As a camp den leader and welding instructor with Scouts of America, he has helped Scouts achieve merit badges while fostering their growth and skills. His volunteer efforts span numerous organizations, including The Salvation Army Operation Santa, the Fur Rondy Royalty Pageant, and the American […]

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Dalton Ante

December 6, 2024

At just 12 years old, Dalton has shown incredible dedication to his community, particularly through his work with The Alaska Humane Society. Since he was 10, he has volunteered weekly to clean the shelter and care for the cats, raising over $6,000 to support their needs. His efforts include fundraising and assisting in building individual […]

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Mika Grubis

December 5, 2024

Mika is a dedicated high school student whose passion for helping others is evident in her impactful projects. As a freshman, she organized a month-long School Community Book Drive, collecting over 900 books for the Fairbanks Literacy Council to promote literacy and encourage community involvement. Mika handled every detail, from creating fliers to coordinating collections. […]

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Dimond High Green Effects NOAA Ocean Guardian Club

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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Hunter Hayden

November 14, 2024

Hunter, president of Dimond Robotics, has expanded STEM access for Anchorage youth. He has volunteered over 120 hours this year, mentoring multiple FIRST LEGO League teams. Hunter co-founded The Lynx Initiative (TLI) to create robotics programs for underserved students. As the youngest board member of the Alaska Museum of Science & Nature, he champions youth-led […]

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Dominic Blair

November 6, 2024

Dominic Blair took on a leading role as narrator in the SHI theater workshop, held over spring break in Ketchikan, where he inspired others by showing pride in his Alaska Native identity. Throughout the production, Dominic exemplified a strong work ethic and encouraged his peers, offering support to those struggling with lines or performance nerves. […]

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Teagann Smith

Teagann, now in her second term as student body president, has shown exceptional leadership by creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment. Her initiative to establish an on-campus weight room has given students and families in the community a much-needed space for fitness, especially valuable in their rural Alaskan village where fitness facilities are […]

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Knud Larson

Knud is a dedicated volunteer who makes a profound impact on youth-led, trauma-informed projects at REACH 907. His work starts well before camp, as he prepares supplies and logistics, ensuring everything is ready for these critical programs. At camp, Knud connects directly with at-risk youth, offering support, guidance, and compassion. This summer, he even served […]

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Arthur Frank

November 1, 2024

Arthur Frank, president of Craig High School, brings positivity and kindness to his school and community. He’s dedicated to supporting school activities, finding new ways to fund sports, and inspiring others with his drive and generosity. Outside of school, Arthur volunteers regularly, helps with community projects, and even runs his own wood-selling business. Known for […]

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Quinzee

Quinzee has volunteered over 100 hours with Challenge Alaska Adaptive Ski & Ride School, becoming a certified sit-ski instructor and inspiring friends to join. As the program’s most dedicated volunteer under 18, she focuses on student safety and confidence, helping them fit harnesses, ride the chairlift, and overcome fears. Her commitment grew even stronger after […]

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Bailee Olson

September 20, 2024

Bailee teaches and models Yupik dance to youth and community members, leading performances at most community events. She fishes and preserves salmon in the summer, hunts moose and Spruce hens, and gathers plants and berries. Bailee shares her harvests generously with Elders, family, and the community. In 2023, she represented Bristol Bay at the Elders […]

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Annabella Frazier

Annabella leads as a committed community volunteer, promoting anti-bullying and supporting those in need. She actively participates in Sources of Strength, cross country, volleyball, and the BRAVE anti-bullying program. She promotes anti-bullying through presentations, book readings, and has sent over 65 packages with positive messages to all 50 states. Annabella organized and donated more than […]

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Sarah Kim

May 15, 2024

Sarah Kim is the founder and facilitator of Music for Hearts, an organization that brings musically devout teens together to play instruments and sing at senior care centers and facilities. She is first year member of the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska, where she engages full-heartedly with kindness and compassion and everything that she […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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