Melissa volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Melissa also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase […]
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Alexi volunteers with the Bright Lights Book Project, a nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy by making books accessible to communities across Alaska. She regularly spends her Saturdays preparing books for distribution to local schools and community members, directly supporting efforts to address Alaska’s low literacy rates. Alexi also helped place, maintain, and stock a bookcase […]
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Betsy Jo Boeskool is an engaged youth leader who demonstrates cultural pride, initiative, and service through her involvement with the Filipino American Society of Fairbanks. She has led youth-centered cultural and fundraising efforts, including delivering a Filipino American History Month speech, helping run a youth-led Sari-Sari store to support Fil-Am programming, and organizing fundraisers to […]
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Miley is a friendly, thoughtful young leader who is deeply involved in Native Youth Olympics at her school and through year-round events, where she actively promotes NYO as one of Alaska’s most important sporting traditions. She regularly invites new students to participate, educates others about the games, and inspires sportsmanship while helping organize events and […]
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Emmanuel is a compassionate and thoughtful youth leader who demonstrates maturity, empathy, and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion within his rural community. As a member of the Tide Turners youth leadership team, he was selected to attend the 2025 Lead On youth conference and has taken an active role in addressing bullying, promoting […]
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Olivia Okeahialam has demonstrated strong leadership and community engagement through a wide range of youth-led initiatives focused on education, preparedness, and wellbeing. Through the Youth Preparedness Council, she designed and led an interactive earthquake and volcano safety game, created classroom kits for continued instruction, and facilitated STEM workshops in local schools. Olivia also served as […]
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Yedidia is a highly driven, thoughtful, and kind youth leader who combines entrepreneurship, innovation, and service to create meaningful community impact. At just 11 years old, she founded YY Sweets, independently managing all aspects of the business while donating 10% of her profits to causes such as St. Jude’s, Sandy Hook Promise, and Women LISTEN, […]
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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 […]
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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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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 state, […]
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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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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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