Spirit of Youth

Nanieezh Peter

Nanieezh Peter is one of four teens who were inspired to take action due to their personal experiences with climate change in their communities.  In their resolution they wrote about the severe impacts climate change is having on Indigenous ways of life and the spiritual and cultural well-being of Alaska Native communities. Their resolution declares […]

Brandon Gall

Brandon is student body President at Service High. Through his roles in Student Government he has led many projects including the Miracle Minute to buy gifts for children in the Child in Transition program. When Brandon realized a few youth didn’t have a basketball team he organized a team to ensure they had the opportunity […]

Zoe Nelles

Zoe created the Sandwich Project at Palmer High School. She makes lunches for kids so they have food over the weekends. This project that she initiated started by helping six kids and has grown to now serving students grades K-12 in the immediate Palmer area to ensure that youth have something to eat while they […]

Carlee Rizzo

Macy Smith

This last year, for medical reasons, Macy faced some very serious challenges. Instead of becoming discouraged, Macy found ways to grow, shine, and thrive.

Taylor Carey

Taylor traveled to Ecuador with a group of middle schoolers to help a community in need. She helped build part of a school in a small community in the Andes.

Nyamiiri Biel

Nyamiiri is a student leader at Bartlett High School where she mentors others. She overcame the obstacle of experiencing homelessness and now volunteers to provide food at shelters both locally and internationally.

Maria Wargo

Since her freshman year, Maria has volunteered at Children’s Lunch box and Stamp Out Hunger. Her family also runs the family clothing drive, collecting clothes to donate to the AWAIC shelter.

Karen Fortenberry

Karen offers insight to counselors and other adults when dealing with at-risk teens. She also applied and was selected to be on the local QPR team as well as the school leadership team.

Jadah Williams

Jadah comes to school every day and works hard to improve herself. She is a great role model for other students.

Kassandra Thomas

Kassy is always willing to support her peers and her teachers. She spreads joy and happiness with her diligence and happy demeanor. She is also involved with school sports.

Sara Laughlin

Sara is involved in Student Government at her school and state-wide. She built and stocked a small food pantry with some of her friends. She also works at the Fairbanks Children’s Museum.

Kalise Houchins

Kalise is the Vice-President of the South High school Peer Mentorship Program. She is also a member of the Peer Mentorship program, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Partners Club, Tea Club and Gaming Club.

Jessica Brado

Jessica donates to the local animal shelter and participates in Toys for Tots. She also participates in races that support the homeless and contribute to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Paul Ludwig

Paul is an unbiased student leader, who gives his peers the benefit of the doubt and uses his natural, friendly, outgoing personality to help his peers be better versions of themselves.

Avery Hoffman

Avery helps promote protection for natural resources on the Kuskokwim River Delta. He has worked in the Fisheries Department at the Native Government for the last four years.

Sara Morse

Anchorage recently experienced a 7.0 earthquake and Sara’s school was hit hard. Everyone dove under their desks to take cover. Sara remained calm and supportive of her classmates.

Harriett Henry

Harriett helps with behavior in all classrooms, grades K-12. She encourages everyone, even adults in her community. When a kid or baby is being fussy or not listening Harriett is right there beside them trying to calm them down.

Hallie Clark

To raise money for their weeklong trip to Africa, where they hosted a basketball camp, Hallie and her mom sold t-shirts with information about the trip on them.

Emma Hopkins

When the season was over, Emma assisted the coach by helping with the 6th grade basketball program. She is always positive and uplifting, while motivating her players to do their very best.