Tucker was voted Volunteer of the Year 2019 by Equine Assisted Therapy Alaska, for his dedication, passion and positive attitude and work ethic. He came to EATA with no knowledge of equine therapy and grew to be the most trusted and looked to volunteer of the summer. Tucker was responsible for horse care and training, working with people with disabilities and mentoring the other volunteers in the program.
Sarah founded Alaska Kids for Kids in 2011 when she was nine years old. Alaska Kids for Kids is a registered non-profit organization which annually selects a youth focused organization to serve for the next calendar year through fund-raising and other donations. Under Sarah’s leadership, the organization, has raised over $20,000 in funds and other donations that directly benefit youth in Alaska. As a youth herself, Sarah understands and empathizes with those challenges at a peer level.
Eli has been a part of a number of youth-led activities including R.O.C.K Mat-Su, and Special Olympics as well as helping in his classroom. Eli has been an assistant coach for Special Olympics snowshoeing for six years. He also worked on a community baby shower to support new parents who may not have the resources necessary to start parenthood off in a good place. Eli is also a teacher’s assistant in the special education/resource room his school. In this classroom he helps coach and mentor students with special needs and abilities. The students in this classroom say that Eli is one the best parts of coming to school.
Derek has learned how to produce professional looking traditional attire. He sews nightly with his aana, spending time with her and passing on traditions. Most of his garments, which are coveted by many in Kotzebue, are given away for free. He takes all his free time and spends it with his family, sewing, learning traditional sewing techniques, spending time learning the language, and simply being a constant companion for an elder.
Shanice has participated in many volunteer activities including packing boxes of food for Alaskan elders, writing thank-you letters to US Veterans, and supporting school district staff at family events at Williwaw and Begich Elementary Schools. She aspires to be a registered nurse to serve her community. Shanice has completed practicum hours in the Alaska Pioneer Home and Providence Hospital, assisting vulnerable populations in completing activities of daily living.
Haley has been a role model for other students at her school with her helpful attitude, leadership qualities, outstanding academics, and leadership of her basketball team.
Alicyn 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 a climate emergency and creates a climate action leadership task force to advance Indigenous voices and advocate for strong climate policies that will ensure the survival of future generations.
Zoe, 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 a climate emergency and creates a climate action leadership task force to advance Indigenous voices and advocate for strong climate policies that will ensure the survival of future generations.
Quannah, 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 a climate emergency and creates a climate action leadership task force to advance Indigenous voices and advocate for strong climate policies that will ensure the survival of future generations.
Adrian has been an active volunteer at Stone Soup Group for several years. In addition to helping out around the office, he is the youth leader for SSG’s Bullying Prevention work, and has helped in the re-design of the Souper Gaming Night activity. Adrian continues to volunteer for SSG each month by charging all of the gaming equipment, setting up the space and modeling social skills for other attendees.
Django has gone out of his way to take on responsibilities and does so with a positive attitude. He helped create a bullying prevention video for Stone Soup Group, has volunteered for a gaming night, and assists youth with special abilities.
Shaelene has had a turbulent upbringing, but despite everything she’s been through, she has remained resilient. Throughout her experiences, she has stayed positive. She continues to keep in contact with her friends and family back home, and is part of a group of young teens where she shares her story and provides them with resources.
Geneva is a member of her student government, captain of her debate team, and has helped pass a resolution to support a Tagalog class in the Anchorage School District. When funding failed from ASD, she looked for opportunities in the Anchorage Assembly to figure out alternatives to a Tagalog class. She also joined the Alaska Young Democrats as well as the Municipality Youth Advisory Commission, and has helped volunteer and bring her peers to local political events.
Colvin was a member of our local Boys & Girls Club from ages 9-14. At age 12 he began volunteering as a cook’s assistant. At age 14 he was hired as a Junior Staff. He is responsible for designing and executing programs (craft, gym, homework) for kids in Kindergarten and 1st grade. He works 20 per week as a youth development professional, maintains excellent grades, is involved with his church youth group and plays for a local high school basketball team.
Garrett has demonstrated courage, resilience, and fortitude as he faces challenging personal difficulties. In June of 2018, he formed a team called “Garrett’s Got Guts” which participated in the Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis fundraising event. He has taken action to educate himself, his classmates, and his community members about genetic disorders with both humor and sincerity.
Candace planned service projects to revamp the playground area. She made it look better, but her main focus was on safety. The entire community was very grateful for her efforts. She volunteers at the community hall every night to support everyone with pool, ping-pong, mini-basketball, foosball, and make it a safe place to socialize.
Elora is changing peoples’ lives and shaping the kind of community we all live in. In order to alleviate isolation among senior citizens she created a traveling petting zoo at a senior living home in her community. Elora has also gathered a significant amount of supplies for the local food bank as well as built and stocked the Nikiski Food Pantry. Elora serves on several youth boards including the 4-H District Council Board, North Road Rangers, and Junior Market Livestock Board.
Blaine McElligott worked with staff at Catholic Social Services and Clare House to create, install, and fill a lending library at Clare House. Blaine also volunteers regularly at St. Francis Food Pantry, often bringing peers and friends with him.
Jessica Yang serves as a youth influencer on a national learning network project of Alaska Community Mental Healthy Services, Alaska Seeds of Change, Alaska Youth Advocates as they work to develop services for youth that are easily accessible and lead to positive outcomes. She is also a part of Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling (MHATS), an organization that aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness and open conversations about mental health through storytelling. The group is advocating for state legislation that would require mental health education in schools.
Zoe Kaplan is part of Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling (MHATS), an organization that aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness and open conversations about mental health through storytelling. MHATS is advocating for state legislation that would require mental health education in schools. Zoe uses her personal struggle with physical illness and depression to help break down the stigma of talking about mental health.
