Jack Walters is the starting goaltender for the Chugiak High School hockey team and volunteers his time to coach a competitive hockey team for children ages 10 and under. Jack is also a member of the National Junior Honor Society.
Zachary Halstead has been helping with the breakfast program at Kenai Alternative High School since the 1st grade. He arrives every morning at 6:30am with his father to prepare the food. He is now able to do so on his own. Zachary treats all students with dignity and respect.
Robert has served as a defense and prosecuting attorney with the Kodiak Teen Court. He is a skillful advocate for his clients, and masterfully applies the principles of restorative justice to all roles that he has taken on in the court. As a judge, he has mentored new youth attorneys and leads with integrity and honesty.
The NJROTC students at Service High School volunteered for the Salvation Army over the holiday season. They have been trained in cold water survival and will now be able to share that knowledge with younger children. Some of the cadets are a part of the You are Not Alone program, and all are trained in recognizing and taking action to stop bullying behaviors.
Kodiak Island Housing Authority runs an after school program called Family Investment Center. Sadie Coyle has worked as a part of this program to help teach children their Alutiiq language, songs, and dances. Sadie helps create a safe and empowering space for youth to explore their cultural heritage.
Fayth Gaw stands up against bullying and harassment, and is always willing to support, or be present for her peers.
Brett Ivan Keene is an enthusiastic, involved member of his community. He has spent many hours volunteering with his church to mentor younger children. He has also been involved with JROTC and took leadership courses at Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute. Overcoming personal challenges, Brett has made a large impact on his community and achieved a high level of success.
A group of youth volunteers created a PSA to help prevent suicide among teens and young adults in Fairbanks and the surrounding area, as part of a Fairbanks Wellness Coalition initiative. This youth-produced PSA features teen voice, and demonstrates the power of reaching out to peers.
Anabelle volunteers and inspires her peers through 4H, Torch Club, an active Youth Leader with the Army Youth Sponsorship Program, and is an advisor with the Fort Wainwright Pacific Teen Panel where she represented Fort Wainwright Youth Center in Seoul, South Korea this year! Anabelle was recognized as the 2016 Fort Wainwright Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Julianne Wilson is involved with a number of youth programs held by the Kenaitze Indian Tribe each summer. These camps and programs offer youth an opportunity to learn life skills and culture. Julianne’s willingness to learn and to teach is obvious and her love for the work is inspiring.
Johnnie Avakumoff is an excellent role model for his peers. He works hard at school, holds a job at Sam’s club, and is a talented jewelry-maker. Johnnie also enjoys writing essays that he can share with his peers and community. He has written about the importance of staying away from drugs and alcohol, healthy relationships, his faith in God, and most recently, he wrote an essay about bullying.
Isabelle Lopez is a member of the Kenai Peninsula Youth Leader Team at her school, Connections in Nikiski. Isabelle balances her education and family life, and is currently holding down a job while going to school in order to help her family. She is proud of her Alaska Native heritage, and shares her passion with her peers. Isabelle is a true leader in her community.
The Petersburg Interact Club is a youth group for students 12 to 18 years of age. This year, club members went above and beyond to help the Salvation Army with their Winter Coat Drive, partnering with a local business that sells coats to encourage donations from the community. Thanks to the creativity of the Interact Club, the drive was an immense success.
Leneil Hafford is the heart and soul of Young Native Fiddlers, a nonprofit that offers guitar and violin lessons to Alaska Native youth, as well as numerous opportunities to perform. Leneil is a selfless and effective leader, and a professional performer who also sees to the needs of the group. She inspires the best in others—youth and adults alike.
The Quantum Mechanics is a rookie, community-based robotics team for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). The team has achieved success with a competitive robot that broke a world record. The members of The Quantum Mechanics team are highly motivated boy scouts that are working to expand STEM activities to all youth, including those with challenges.
In 2014, Ivory Gerhardt-Cyrus started a youth group called OPT IN Kiana with money she obtained through a Stand Up Speak Up grant. OPT IN Kiana recognizes that everyone has value and seeks to engage youth who are often excluded from school activities.
Sam has been an active member of the Anchorage Youth Court juvenile justice system, since the spring of 2015. Sam has served as a youth jurist, bailiff, clerk, defense attorney, prosecuting attorney, and judge and averages approximately 140 hours of service a year. He currently serves as lead attorney and judge in this year’s cases. He is also on the Board of Directors and Ethics Committee for this program and plans to stay involved through his Senior year.
Shaela created, organized and directed Agents for Change, a youth-led initiative at Colony Middle School designed to study and raise awareness about local and global issues where children face adversity and crisis. Agents for Change members fundraise for organizations that support children. Shaela is driven by her immense compassion for others.
Lucas Dinsmore has overcome immense health challenges, and continues to fight for his life. He exhibits great strength and kindness in the face of adversity. The Colony Middle School community is rooting for him.
Jason Riggs is an athlete competing for Lathrop in Wrestling, Cross Country, and Soccer. He is a vital member of the Lathrop Robotics Team. Jason has been an active leader and peer mentor in the youth group at First Presbyterian Church for 5 years. Jason is a hard worker, and always ready to step up.
