Dakoma Epperly-May is the current Alaska State Fair Teen. Dakoma is the youth chair on youth coalition for Healthy Voices Healthy Choices. Dakoma volunteers with the Salvation Army and has helped with Operation Santa for the last 3 years by wrapping gifts, stuffing backpack with snacks, bathroom supplies, packing boxes and getting them ready for shipping.
Anna has developed a program called Promote Our Pollinators. This insightful, ambitious project strives to educate the public about the importance of pollinators and to provide easy to implement ways to support these essential creatures. Anna is educating hundreds of students, seniors, and business and community members about the importance of pollinators.
Despite being born with a rare genetic disorder Ashley thrives on finding ways to give back. She started the Blessing Box program with the Anchorage School District. She was invited by the Superintendent to speak to all the principals in the district, the Mayor of Anchorage and the Governor to get her program going.
Trevor works to promote Native values. He has been very active in Native Youth Olympics. In addition to participating on the school team he is always recruiting others and teaching them the skills needed. He was a student-leader at the recent Elders and Youth Conference and presented an NYO workshop to demonstrate the history of these events.
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 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.
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 to play.
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 are not at school. All fundraising and donations have been led by Zoe. She started by just making the meals in her home, since the project has grown so much she has moved it to the high school where the National Honor Society helps her put the meals together.
Matt Davis and Jared Heaston saw a woman get hit by a vehicle and she projected six feet. They rushed to help her, and performed CPR and all life saving efforts prior to the arrival of the paramedics. They have shared their story with students and the community and they advocate for safe driving and helping those in need.
Eliyah is part of the Colony Middle School National Junior Art Honor Society. She also participated in the 2018 Tech Expo showcasing her 3D apartment which she designed during an interior design unit at Colony Middle School.
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 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.
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 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 comes to school every day and works hard to improve herself. She is a great role model for other students.
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 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.
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.
