Wesley has been an active member of Ketchikan Youth for Change for three years, contributing to youth-led advocacy focused on substance use prevention and homelessness awareness. He has helped develop and implement multiple school- and community-based programs, including Red Ribbon Week, Your Choice Carnival, Ghost Out, and Sleep-Out, reaching elementary, middle, and high school students […]
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Ronnie is a dedicated youth leader who dedicates her time to Partners Club, an inclusive high school club that celebrates people with and without disabilities. Ronnie supports students in life skills classes as a peer mentor by offering guidance, encouragement, and positive interaction. She also serves as a peer partner in Unified Track and volunteers […]
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Mason has shown extraordinary strength and perseverance after losing both his biological father and, more recently, his grandfather, carrying their memory with him as he pours his heart into wrestling and continues to grow through new athletic challenges. As an Alaska Native youth, he doesn’t often see himself reflected in many of the sports he […]
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Danielle Faith Nilo plays a key leadership role in strengthening cultural identity and youth voice in Sitka through her work with the Sitka Barkadas Filipino Club Salo-Salo. She helped organize and lead the Filipino Heritage Month Celebration—an entirely youth-driven event featuring traditional dances, songs, cultural presentations, and shared food that brought together roughly 200 community […]
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Sean Middleton demonstrates exceptional youth leadership in Fairbanks by organizing hockey training sessions, mentoring younger athletes, and promoting healthy living through fitness programs he designs at the Hockey Club Fairbanks (HCF) gym. He fosters teamwork, discipline, and positive community culture while also volunteering for events like the HCF Christmas party to bring joy to younger […]
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Jillian has been committed to community service since childhood, contributing to a wide range of efforts, from supporting Anchorage Firefighters to volunteering with Special Olympics and Dimond High’s Partners Club. She has led major philanthropic projects, including organizing a blood drive that collected 30 units of blood, enough to save up to 66 lives, and […]
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Sofia is a highly engaged student leader who holds elected positions in multiple organizations, including PR Officer for Student Government and National Technical Honor Society and President of HOSA. She revitalized her school’s Holiday Craft Fair after years of unsuccessful attempts, coordinating student groups and community outreach to bring more than 20 activities to life. […]
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Isabelle has been a dedicated volunteer since early childhood, playing a key role in low-cost spay/neuter clinics and offering calm, compassionate support to both animals and stressed pet owners. She helps rehabilitate cats and kittens in need, assists with humane trapping efforts, and is involved daily in caring for rescued animals, even in harsh weather. […]
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As Nanuk Lodge Chief, Kinsey Shepard leads every aspect of the Great Alaska Council’s youth-driven Order of the Arrow program, guiding teens in planning inductions, organizing service projects, and shaping lodge operations. She strengthens Alaska’s Scouting community by coordinating major youth-led events, improving camp facilities through hands-on service, and fostering inclusive fellowship and training opportunities […]
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The Lynx Initiative (TLI) is a youth-run robotics program created by Anchorage teens who saw that too many students, especially in Title I schools, had no access to STEM opportunities. In just two years, TLI built Anchorage’s first K–12 robotics pathway, growing from 2 teams to 13 and serving students from 23 schools, including Alaska’s […]
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Sophia has led transformative youth-focused initiatives in Ketchikan, securing $3.5M to launch the community’s first low-barrier youth center and creating a free lunch program serving more than 300 young people. As a leader in Rotary Interact and Ketchikan Youth for Change, she has mobilized her peers in service, raised over $10K annually for local causes, […]
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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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Jacoby took on his first job last summer as a grocery bagger and was quickly promoted to cashier. He has received numerous compliments on his smile, his engaging interactions with customers in the community, and his exceptional performance of job duties. Jacoby has also been selling garnets in his community for several years and has […]
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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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Isaiah stepped out of his comfort zone by participating in the Tlingit & Haida YES Program, which helped lead him to his dream of becoming a diesel and heavy equipment mechanic. The YES Program gives youth employment skills and training in their preferred type of work, allowing them to gain experience and explore possible career […]
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Lola Swanson is a dedicated young leader from Seward, Alaska, who created and operates a year-round dance program to bring high-quality arts opportunities to her rural community. Through her program, over 100 local youth have gained access to dance instruction and scholarships that make participation possible for all families. Lola’s commitment, creativity, and leadership have […]
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Makena Desermia approached Seward Arts Council in the spring of 2025 because she had a vision of bringing a music camp back to Seward for community students. For six months she worked with Seward Arts Council arts and music programming coordinators to connect with Alaskan musicians, write grants, network with music programs across the […]
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Wayne has made a significant impact on the Gruening Middle School debate program through his dedication, leadership, and passion for debate. Over the past three years, he volunteered as a judge and recently joined the coaching team—organizing scrimmages, leading weekly practices, and presenting complex topics in an engaging way for students. Under his mentorship, the […]
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Olivia leads with creativity and purpose, using her talents to amplify youth voices. She co-developed a teen wellness video by organizing a student team, setting a timeline, and guiding the creative process from start to finish. She took an active role in spoken word, photography, music, and video editing to deliver content that supports mental […]
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Gabrielle Morton leads with purpose and heart. She created Color Them with Kindness to help kids stand up to bullying and grow in faith. Through this platform, she shares her story, teaches confidence, and spreads kindness. Gabrielle has reached over 2,000 people in Alaska and other states, giving out handmade crayons, scripture cards, and bracelets. […]
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