Kaydence raised over $300 and, with the help her grandma went, shopping and bagged up things such as socks, shampoo, water, snacks, hand wipes, etc. She then went and handed out these bags to homeless people.
Keaton Dolph decided to start an Applied Science Club at Kodiak High School. He worked with administration, found a sponsor, and recruited members. He plans meetings and activities, gathers materials, and trains the members, all on his own. The club is new and small, but his dedication is inspiring and impressive.
Helping Hooves is a horseback riding program for riders with special needs. Lynna has volunteered there for 3 – 5 years. Volunteers groom and tack horses, set up activities and games, work with riders and horses and put horses and equipment away.
Bai’s parents came to Alaska as Hmong refugees. She is the eldest of nine children and Bai is responsible for taking care of her siblings and supporting her parents as they navigate their new state and country.
Nyche has been a part of influencing the Anchorage School District (ASD) in making a policy that allows Native American and Alaska Native students to wear their respective regalia during high school graduation ceremonies.
The Aniak Jr/Sr High School Student Council embraces their culture and focuses on recognition of those that have made it possible. The student council plans events, networks with local businesses, elders and VIPs to ensure events run smoothly.
Jena is involved with the Aniak Jr/Sr High School Student Council. She is the Student Council representative to the Kuspuk School district board, she has volunteered at the Aniak Youth Center and tutored math. She was a key member in Math Science Expedition and a local project that preserved the stories of local elders.
By generously sharing his story of vulnerability, Juan allows other high school students a chance to open up about their own vulnerabilities and find connections. He is a positive role model to the more than 500 Anchorage high school students who have watched his story.
As part of the Lead On program, youth from around the state met in Anchorage to build skills and develop projects they could implement in their communities to prevent violence and build pride and resilience.
Chance graduated from high school this year with two associates degrees, Associate of Science and Associate of Arts General Program with Cum Laude Honors. He also applied and received a grant to start a dance group in his village.
Aunika began #Hashtaglunchbag in Anchorage. She organizes youth and adults to gather and prepare lunches for the homeless in Anchorage.
Rafael displays intelligence and leadership skills beyond his years. His strong inner drive has resulted in an academically, emotionally and socially intelligent young man. He is the owner and director of the Crepe Escape, a food booth in Kodiak. He donates 10 percent of Crepe Escape’s profits to the Brother Francis Shelter.
Vanessa has many leadership qualities. She is creative in her ideas to solve problems in her community, she is self-motivated , dedicated, and hard working. Vanessa organized, planned, and implemented the first homeschool prom in May of 2017. She was able to secure a facility, delegate duties to the other student volunteers, and held cookie sales and other fundraisers to make it all come together. It was a huge success with over 40 homeschool students participating.
Hannah is a member of the North Star Youth Court where she serves as Defense Attorney, Board Member and Judge. She always seeks to find the best way to affect a positive outcome for the youth court clients. She takes her work seriously and is a positive role model to the new up and coming attorneys, who look up to her.
Carol is a member of the Future Problem Solving Program, North Star Youth Court, Girl Scouts, Be [You] Team and Barnette Middle School’s Mediators. In all her roles she seeks to bring about a better future for her peers and her community.
Sierra is a leader among her peers. She is co-captain of rifle club, does fencing, was a host for Japanese student exchange, honor society, has a 4.1 GPA and is in the Japanese honor society. She is vice president of youth court, was elected this year as a student mentor at Lathrop high school, and is involved in after school art classes.
Gabe decided to transfer to a larger school in order to pursue his passion for science. The move added three hours to his school day. Yet, when he comes home he makes time, through Ninilchik Tribe Teen Center, to work with others to build clubs, programs and places for Ninilchik youth to go for peer support. Miller sees himself as a scientist who wants to study the micro-systems that keep our world running.
Duncan shares his Yup’ik culture with the world every chance he gets. His songs and public speaking heals and strengthens people in his village. He has spoken and sang at numerous conferences. He is also involved in three different dance groups and is the leader of one of them. Additionally, he performs at his school, instilling pride in his peers and is a great role model for the young people of his village.
Anonymous Teen (AT) has volunteered over 200 hours over the past at an organization providing direct services for other teens. AT is gender queer and noticed that a lot of the paperwork and forms at the organization were not gender inclusive and asked to update the materials. It took courage to call out adults and help them to do better for the next teen who walks in the door.
