Natalie Hannula is a dedicated youth leader making a significant impact through initiatives like the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska (YAHA), where she helps shape statewide health programs and shares youth stories through newsletters. In her school’s You Are Not Alone (YANA) club, she organizes events and shares suicide prevention resources like 988Create. As […]
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Splish Splash Productions (SSP), a youth-led group within the Alaska Theatre of Youth, has taken on the challenge of producing The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Over the past eleven months, SSP has raised more than $10,000, secured production rights, hired key staff, and found a venue at the UAA Fine Arts Building. Their […]
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This group of students has transformed their school’s approach to recycling, starting a program four years ago that continues to grow and inspire. Initially focused on paper and cardboard, they expanded to include plastic and aluminum, working with local waste management and the school district. They’ve set a strong example by placing recycling bins throughout […]
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Isabella exemplifies excellence in leadership, academics, and community engagement. She has achieved honor roll every term since sixth grade and earned membership in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. As Senior and Junior Class President, Isabella has demonstrated outstanding leadership, further recognized by prestigious awards such as the JROTC Legion of Valor Bronze […]
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Jusse’ll Watkins-Roberton exemplifies resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Despite social anxiety, she has participated in events like the Disability Awareness Art Show and her high school’s winter bazaar, confidently selling her original crochet art. Her thoughtful pricing and customer engagement highlight her maturity and determination. Using creativity as a tool for emotional regulation, Jusse’ll repurposes […]
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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, […]
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Sahara joined the Trapper Creek Community Council in 2022-2023 to represent the youth of the community and participate in local governmental activities. Sahara developed summer Saturday sports that hosted both youth and adults to engage in physical activities such as softball, frisbee, and volleyball. In addition, Sahara and family baked or purchased items to sell […]
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Jack has identified a need in his community and has helped fill it. In the rural community of Aniak he secured a coffee machine and sells espressos, lattes, and breves along with food, starting his own entrepreneurial venture to reach his financial goals. He taught other students how to run the espresso machine as well […]
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Mazzy is a skilled beader. An important part of her Athabaskan culture, she wanted to teach beading to other kids, so Mazzy created a class for third and fourth-graders at her school. Mazzy helped shine a light on Indigenous knowledge and made it something desirable and important.
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North created the ‘Hidden Parks of Anchorage’ guide, and presented it in both online and print versions while in the 8th grade. Now a sophomore, North continues his service to Anchorage through additional volunteer opportunities in the Service High Partners Club, Providence Horizon House, and in park cleanups and work days.
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Teagan is a 6th grade student at Kodiak Middle School with a job at a local doctor’s office – a bit unusual. In the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) program, Teagan is involved in a project to create a working rocket, hypothesizing and experimenting to hopefully lead to success. Teagan’s nominator says, […]
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Since 2018, at the age of 10, Lola has been instructing young children of the Seward community in the art of dance. Over the course of the last four and a half years, she has taught more than 100 youth ranging in age from three to 14 the basics of ballet, jazz, and tap through […]
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Abbey Markell started her own business from scratch, baking healthy, homemade dog cookies and cakes in attractive fun shapes and colors to support a local pet supply store’s two locations. Alaskans can now purchase locally-baked, customized options of cute cookies and adorable birthday and “Gotcha-Day” cakes that are nutritionally-balanced and free from preservatives. Says Abbey’s […]
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“Making the impossible, possible” is Hannah’s personal motto, and everything she does comes from this tremendous work ethic. Hannah participates in Lego Challenge events, developing robotic figures that challenge students’ abilities in technology and science. She has assisted younger students with the skills of coding and problem-solving, helping them to develop into worthy members of […]
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Sophia Layos-Wagaman is an aspiring circus arts performer from Fairbanks. A competitive gymnast since 2013, Sophia has competed at U.S. Gymnastics invitationals in Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska. She has spent the last four years adding circus skills to her repertoire including straps, lyra, wire and partner acrobatics. She performed with the Golden Heart […]
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Yedidia embodies the spirit of fine arts, with a love of singing, violin, and drawing as her primary interests, using these media to express her feelings in a positive way. She also serves as an officer of the Anchorage Youth Court, and created her own business called “YY Sweets,” donating profits to charity.
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In 2020 Rebecca started her own non-profit organization, Big Air Becca, dedicated to providing opportunities for underserved youth to experience the outdoors. An avid free-skier, Rebecca brings skills of advocacy, fundraising, and leadership to her sessions teaching kids to ski, climb, and enjoy Alaska’s outside spaces.
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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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Emil Lopez believes that all young people deserve to be heard, and he’s working to bring awareness and solutions to amplify the youth voice in Alaska. A keynote speaker for a recent youth summit, Emil brings to the table an awareness of and solutions for the role of young citizens. A student at Bettye Davie East […]
Read MoreCamylle loves fashion design and is an incredibly gifted seamstress. She has been designing and creating her own clothes for some time. She has been able to make soft toys for children. Camylle is an inspiration. Her sewing machine skills and eye for fashion are advanced beyond her years. She has started to sell a […]
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