Spirit of Youth

Fairbanks Skate Park Coalition was formed in April 2016 by a group of young skateboarders, BMX bikers and other action sport riders who want to create safe, fun skate parks in the Fairbanks North Star Borough. Since that time, they have gained non-profit status, assisted in designing and refurbishing the North Pole Skate Park and then hosted a grand opening and competition. They have started working with our Borough and Parks and Rec department to get a new skate park built in Fairbanks to replace the 20 year old park that has become unsafe.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star Borough
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Abigail Mainard  is always willing to lend a hand. She will often baby sit for free, and is a kind, hardworking member of her community.

• Home Town JBER
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Overcoming Challenges, Service To Children

The Ninilchik chapter of Resilient Alaska Youth works to give back to the community through programs such as the Youth Education Leadership Program, and the Ninilchik Traditional Council.  Youth engage in activities ranging from arts and crafts to fishing, and by becoming engaged in the community, youth gain valuable experiences that can help them become successful adults.

• Home Town Ninilchik
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Children

Tyler spent many days after school and during his lunch period to assist the teacher and his fellow peers on STEM projects. He fixed, rewired, and soldered motors and control boxes for an underwater robotics program called SeaPerch to ensure that all his fellow students would have access to working materials.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat-Su School District
• Award Category Science & Environment, Service To Peers

Anja Cheyette is a driven, hard-working, and motivated student at Colony Middle School. She delivers morning announcements,  and is a positive role model to students both in and out of the classroom. Anja is always eager to lend a hand and plays an important role in making her school a safe, positive, and caring place.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers, Service To Children

Camden Kegley performs with the Lathrop Concert Choir, plays clarinet and saxophone, and has performed in a number of productions.  This past year, he performed at Carnegie Hall. Camden is an inspiration to his peers, as well as a professional and eager participant in the Fairbanks’ cultural community.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District North Star Borough
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits

Courtney O’Hearn has been playing the violin for 10 years. She taught herself to play cello, guitar and piano after learning the violin.  She has gone to state for solo and ensemble every year and received a superior rating each time.  Courtney inspires others with her music.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District North Star Borough
• Award Category Fine Arts

Students for Change takes on racism, bullying and other peer to peer problems at Hutchison High School. Members are from all different social groups and work to bring unity to the school. Students for Change is now working to spread their message across the district’s high schools.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks Northstar Borough
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Tasha Elizarde works as a Peer Educator with the Juneau Teen Council,  which focuses on teaching teens about healthy sexuality and healthy relationships. Tasha attended the 2016 Teen Council Summit in Washington DC and co-presented a workshop about youth involvement in advocacy efforts. After the summit, Tasha was invited to write an article for an MTV news blog. Tasha exhibits exceptional skills in leadership, writing, and advocacy.

• Home Town Juneau
• School District Juneau School District
• Award Category Business & Government, Service To Community, Media & Technology

Maya Rivera is a kind and compassionate student at Colony Middle School. Her positive attitude and willingness to return to school after experiencing a traumatic accident has been an inspiration to her community.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District MatSu
• Award Category Overcoming Challenges, Service To Peers

Alexia Briggs, Maddy Koehn, Sage Tedds, Amelia Frisby, Mia McCann, Emma Hopkins, and Kayleigh Brager make up the Colony Middle School Greeters.  These students volunteer to arrive 45 minutes before school starts, stand in the lobby, and greet every person who enters CMS with a smile, a handshake and a good morning.  They ensure that the first experience that every student has when they walk through the door is a positive one.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Service To Peers

Corbin Ryan Batzner is a hard working and highly motivated student at Colony Middle School. He is currently learning construction by helping his dad build their house.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matsu
• Award Category Service To Community

Mia Weiss is involved with Agents for Change, a group of Colony Middle School students dedicated to raising awareness and fundraising for children who live in poverty and do not have access to education, clean water, or health care. She is also a member of an after school volunteer group where students meet once a week to plan and implement random acts of kindness for peers and staff.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Service To Peers

This year, the Colony Middle School cheerleaders accepted the challenge to be ambassadors of kindness and school spirit at school and in the community. They have pledged to end bullying at CMS and to stick up for students who need support.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers

Lonicera Lindquist volunteers her time during PE class to support and aid special needs students. Lonicera is compassionate, caring, and brings laughter to the entire class.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Peers

Grace Eldridge is very involved in dramatic and artistic pursuits. For several years, she has choreographed the musical theater productions at neighboring Colony Middle School.  Grace has created dance numbers for The Lion King, The Sound of Music, and others.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Mat-Su Borough School District
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits, Fine Arts, Service To Peers

Jasmine Suarez led a suicide prevention presentation and activities with her peers at Colony Middle School. She is a kind and caring student who reaches out to her peers.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Matsu Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Peers

Alexia Briggs and her brother single handedly organized a cupcake sale to benefit a former classmate and teacher who are suffering from cancer.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Community

TJ Clapp worked with Colony Middle School Principal Mary McMahon to come up with a Christmas gift idea for a peer battling cancer. He then coordinated with his family members to gather donations, and raised over $300 to purchase a high end telescope for his science-loving friend.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Service To Peers

Adrian Briggs and his sister recently made cupcakes and held a bake sale to raise money for a fellow student who is currently battling cancer. Adrian is kind and always willing to support his peers.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District MatSu Borough School District
• Award Category Service To Community, Service To Peers