Spirit of Youth

The Native Student Leadership Council (NLC) at East High School is an active group of Alaska Native and American Indian students who want to share their pride, cultural values and traditions with the community. NLC has initiated and led several activities this year, such as coordinating and carrying out a meeting each semester for Indian Education students at East High School, sharing cultural activities with 3rd and 4th grade students at Russian Jack Elementary, and helping new-to-Anchorage Alaska Native and American Indian Students transition to East High School.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Dreamer

Charlie has been a volunteer coach every Sunday afternoon for the youngest hockey players of the Homer Hockey Association for four years. He is also a strong leader of Homer High School’s Student Council and Peer Mentor Program.

• Home Town Homer
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Role Model

Jordan runs her own non-profit organization called Jordan’s Junk for Joy. Her organization helps raise money for Special Santa and helps bring Christmas to over 300,000 families in need. Last year she raised over $800 and was awarded the spirit of Christmas award.

• Home Town wasilla
• School District Matsu
• Award Category Visionary

To encourage their classmates to engage in a more significant way in the 2018 Chains of Caring Campaign at South High School, sisters Molly and Lauren challenged the student body to raise $5,000. The campaign spread like wildfire throughout the school and on social media, ultimately raising more than $10,000, which was donated directly to the Children’s Hospital at Providence.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Phoenix, Visionary

All the current community recycling efforts done in the community of Unalaska are only possible through the hardworking volunteer hands of this youth group. They advertise, collect, sort, pack, and prepare for shipment all of the recyclables.

• Home Town Unalaska
• School District Unalaska City School District
• Award Category Discovery

Will is avidly involved in science including groundbreaking research and supporting youth STEM activities.  One of his scientific endeavors was the development of synthetic honey that can be used in medical procedures which prevents bacterial growth.  Wills unique ideas solve real world problems.

• Home Town
• School District IDEA Homeschool
• Award Category Innovator

George has been involved in the Woodland Park Boys & Girls Club since he was seven. Because of his involvement, he has grown both academically and socially and radiates positivity. He’s a strong, natural leader and noticeably raises spirits when he’s around his basketball team.

• Home Town
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Phoenix, Role Model

• Home Town
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Lifesaver

Bergen is constantly seeking out those who are under-served and finds ways to meet their needs. From early childhood, he has donated a portion of his income. He contributes 20 percent of every paycheck to buying fresh produce for the Glory Hall Homeless Shelter and Soup Kitchen.

• Home Town
• School District Juneau School District
• Award Category Humanitarian

Talia is active in the community-driven youth and sled dog program in her community. She is responsible for the health of her family dog team, which involves a commitment to care and exercise of puppies and adult dogs. She also organizes bake sales to raise money for prizes for village youth races.

• Home Town
• School District Yukon-Koyukuk School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Mickinzie is active in and has lettered in several school sports and activities. She has participated in swimming, concert choir and cross country skiing. She was an alternate on Kenai Central High School’s state team and she performed American Sign Language at her school’s spring concert.

• Home Town
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Role Model

Maren’s dad was diagnosed with MS three years before she was born. She spent much of her time caring for him and promoting MS awareness. Last fall, her dad passed away. Since then, Maren has shared memories and photos from of him on social media and in person.

• Home Town
• School District Fairbanks North Star Borough School District
• Award Category Phoenix

Jessica’s dad volunteered her for the Yukon Quest, a 1,000 mile international sled dog race. She brought puppies from their kennel to share with summer visitors. She also volunteers at the Helping Hooves Program, a horse riding service for people with special needs.

• Home Town
• School District Home School
• Award Category Role Model

Olivia is a straight-A student in honors and AP classes, president of the National Honor Society, a company dancer at Alaska Dance Theater, and a soloist and member of Da Capo Community Choir. She also holds the title of Miss Alaska High School 2018, and is an American Heart Association Basic Life Support Instructor.

• Home Town
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Zero-Landfill Ambassador Program (ZLAP) Council is run by a group of middle and high school students at Tri-Valley School in the Denali Borough School District. This program was created to tackle sustainability issues at the school and in the Healy/McKinley Village area.

• Home Town Healy
• School District Denali Borough School District
• Award Category Discovery

The 9th and 10th graders of Naknek participated in and led the 2018 Youth Digital Storytelling Workshop. Each student created a documentary film on topics related to local culture and the historic Alaska Packers Association NN Cannery located in South Naknek.

• Home Town Naknek
• School District Bristol Bay Borough School District
• Award Category Dreamer

Natalie founded a new organization called Mental Health Advocacy which uses storytelling to de-stigmatize mental health issues. She has been actively involved in suicide prevention.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Role Model

Mary is involved in a school organization called AYEA that is working with the Qawalangin Tribe to get recycling started in their community and help protect the environment. Mary is a also the Daisy Girl Scout leader, she works with and mentors girls in kindergarten and 1st grade.

• Home Town Unalaska
• School District
• Award Category Role Model, Discovery

In the summer of 2017, 3 people almost perished in Eklutna Lake when their Kayak flipped over. The freezing water gave them hypothermia. Will ran all over the beach to find drift wood and started a fire to keep the victims warm until Emergency Services came. His brave efforts and quick action helped save lives.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Lifesaver

In the summer of 2017, 3 people almost perished in Eklutna Lake when their Kayak flipped over. The freezing water gave them hypothermia. Cole ran all over the beach to find drift wood and started a fire to keep the victims warm until Emergency Services came. His brave efforts and quick action helped save lives.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District ASD
• Award Category Lifesaver