Spirit of Youth

Knud is a dedicated volunteer who makes a profound impact on youth-led, trauma-informed projects at REACH 907. His work starts well before camp, as he prepares supplies and logistics, ensuring everything is ready for these critical programs. At camp, Knud connects directly with at-risk youth, offering support, guidance, and compassion. This summer, he even served as a mentor, helping young people find hope and build resilience. By building trust and showing genuine care, Knud empowers these youth to feel valued, helping to foster positive futures.

• Home Town Chugiak
• School District Anchorage School District (homeschooled)
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

The STAR Team, made up of grades 6-8, promotes mental health awareness and suicide prevention among middle school students. STAR stands for Saving Teens at Risk, and encourages students to Share, Tell, Ask, and Reach out when someone needs help. Throughout the year, the team presents suicide prevention slideshows in each homeroom, teaching students to recognize warning signs and seek help. Eighth-grade STAR members also give anti-bullying presentations to 5th graders to help them prepare for middle school. STAR students promote a drug-free lifestyle during Red Ribbon Week and set an example of positive citizenship for their peers.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District MSBSD
• Award Category Life Saver

As senior student council president, Braxton is a friendly and hardworking leader who sets a positive tone for his peers in Aleknagik. His dedication shines through his volunteer work, from helping with school fundraisers to motivating his teammates as co-captain of the basketball team. Beyond school, he proudly wears the title of “uncle,” guiding his nieces and nephew with kindness and wisdom, and always making time to teach and play with them. Braxton’s influence as a role model inspires both his peers and family to strive for their best.

• Home Town Dillingham
• School District Southwest region schools
• Award Category Role Model

Arthur Frank, president of Craig High School, brings positivity and kindness to his school and community. He’s dedicated to supporting school activities, finding new ways to fund sports, and inspiring others with his drive and generosity. Outside of school, Arthur volunteers regularly, helps with community projects, and even runs his own wood-selling business. Known for his hard work and empathy, he often visits local elders to see if they need firewood, groceries, or any help. Arthur’s dedication and compassion make him a respected and valued member of the Craig community.

• Home Town Hollis
• School District Craig City School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Quinzee has volunteered over 100 hours with Challenge Alaska Adaptive Ski & Ride School, becoming a certified sit-ski instructor and inspiring friends to join. As the program’s most dedicated volunteer under 18, she focuses on student safety and confidence, helping them fit harnesses, ride the chairlift, and overcome fears. Her commitment grew even stronger after her brother’s recent accident left him with quadriplegic paralysis. Quinzee’s passion for adaptive recreation shines through her work, breaking down barriers and empowering people with disabilities to experience freedom and joy on the slopes.

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

Holly is a remarkable 16-year-old who has stepped up to care for her family during tough times. Instead of working to save for driving school, she stays home to look after her younger sister, ensuring her family stays together and stable. Holly supports anyone who needs a friend and gives selflessly. After her father’s car accident, she prepared his meals, checked on him daily, and managed the groceries and cooking. With dreams of becoming a massage therapist and chiropractor, Holly is already well on her way to a life of caring for others.

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

Bailee teaches and models Yupik dance to youth and community members, leading performances at most community events. She fishes and preserves salmon in the summer, hunts moose and Spruce hens, and gathers plants and berries. Bailee shares her harvests generously with Elders, family, and the community. In 2023, she represented Bristol Bay at the Elders and Youth Conference. She works to preserve traditional Yupik dance and subsistence living, passing on vital knowledge. Her efforts help her community stay connected to their culture and access essential resources.

• Home Town Dillingham
• School District Dillingham City School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Annabella leads as a committed community volunteer, promoting anti-bullying and supporting those in need. She actively participates in Sources of Strength, cross country, volleyball, and the BRAVE anti-bullying program. She promotes anti-bullying through presentations, book readings, and has sent over 65 packages with positive messages to all 50 states. Annabella organized and donated more than 50 backpacks filled with school supplies to foster care. Passionate about addressing bullying, encouraging volunteerism, and inspiring positive change, she regularly bakes for the local Food Bank and Bread Line, always finding new ways to make a difference in her community.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District North Star
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Bella is known for her kind heart and caring nature. She lifts others up with encouraging words, a helping hand, or by listening. At South Anchorage High School, Bella serves as a student leader. She was Freshman Class Vice President and now serves as Commissioner of Community Service. Bella represents her peers on the Anchorage School District Student Advisory Board and the Executive Board as Public Relations Officer. Recently, she became a Youth Ambassador for the Equal Rights Commission, continuing her commitment to advocacy and service.

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

Sarah Kim is the founder and facilitator of Music for Hearts, an organization that brings musically devout teens together to play instruments and sing at senior care centers and facilities. She is first year member of the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska, where she engages full-heartedly with kindness and compassion and everything that she does. Her thoughtful guidance and tireless support of youth mental health in Alaska inspired her to invest her passion back into the community.

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

Renee has been active in the West Valley High School student government and recently served as co-host of the WVHS School Board candidate forum. Last October, she and other WVHS students planned a solidarity rally in support of Mat-Su students, who were holding their own walkout that same day to protest the action of their school board in removing 53 books and the school board’s student representative position from the board. Her work in student government and student advocacy provides an important voice often unheard or overlooked when decisions are being made.

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

Rebekah is a long time volunteer for many different organizations and causes. She makes the time while balancing school work, being a member of D.Em competitive dance squad, and working. Rebekah volunteers at a local elementary school with students and teachers and helping at their annual school carnival fundraiser. In the summer, she helps assist her dance studio is guiding younger dancers. Rebekah was a guest dignitary at the 1st Walk to End Alzheimers on the Kenai Peninsula. She has also volunteered with Soldotna Chamber of Commerce Pie Auction to raise money for local scholarships and programs.

She believes it is important to help the youth in our community find and use their passion to battle bullying since she herself was the victim of bullying and has worked her way back to a healthy state of mind using dance.

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

Maddy is passionate about inclusivity, respect, and dignity for the special-needs community in Alaska. She started working with special-needs students in middle school and continued her involvement at Service High in Partner’s Club, a social inclusion club for students with and without intellectual disabilities. Maddy has participated in Unified Track at Service (in which special needs students participate with partners in track and field events) since her freshman year, and helped lead her team to win State and qualify for the 2022 National Special Olympics competition. Maddy has also helped increase access to mental health resources for Alaska teens through her work as a mental health advocate. She has participated in Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling as a storyteller, advocate, and facilitator, founded the Health and Wellness Club at Service High, and developed her own mental health platform, The Future Is Good, to further help teens dealing with mental health issues.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage School District
• Award Category Life Saver
• Radio Story Listen to Madeline's radio story here

Kyler is involved in youth competitive hockey, volunteering in the community, extended learning program, video production, and debate club. He has been a positive role model, loyal friend, and positive and helpful person, always encouraging others to do well. He helps teammates with their homework and acknowledges the younger players that look up to them. Kyler volunteers in the community at many events with his sister, serves as a referee for kids hockey when available, and is always a smiling face to kids around him. He is trustworthy, responsible, and always trying to lead others in the right direction. He is humble, kind, and willing to lend a hand whenever he can.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star Borough
• Award Category Role Model

Juli has been a member of the Mat-Su Youth Orchestra (MSYO) since 2019, and recently stepped up as 1st chair, leading the 1st violins and has demonstrated her dedication and encouragement to her peers.  She serves in her class orchestra at school and also the after school advanced orchestra, and conducted a piece for her class orchestra at their winter concert. In addition to these and other musical pursuits, this is Juli’s third year being on Thrive Mat-Su’s Street Team, promoting and volunteering at Thrive events to welcome youth and build a community where youth feel valued. Wherever Juli goes, whether it be school, church or in the community, she is an outstanding leader and possesses the ability to connect with youth around her.

• Home Town Palmer
• School District Matanuska Susitna
• Award Category Dreamer, Role Model

Nia acts as a teacher and mentor by working with younger children in her community and homeschooling her siblings. Nia demonstrates her abilities through the effort she puts in her teaching and personal skills.

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

Despite her young age, Melissa is a lead instructor at the Juneau Karate Academy. She specializes in teaching the younger “Lil Dragons” classes. She has been a member and helps out with other youth on the “Demo” team for the Karate school. Melissa is also currently a captain of Juneau’s Forget Me Not Synchronized Skating Team, the only competitive synchronized skating team in Alaska. Melissa has been a role model for years through her leadership and mentorship in the karate and figure skating community in Juneau.

• Home Town Juneau
• School District Juneau
• Award Category Dreamer, Role Model

Ben is the Student Advisory Representative of the MatSu School District School Board. In this role, he is an outstanding example to his peers. In 2023, the Adult School Board acted to remove the student representatives ability to offer student input to the Board of Education. Despite this, Ben has continued to represent his fellow students in a respectful courteous manner.He has previously participated in the MatSu Youth Orchestra as well as leading podcast for youth during the pandemic. As the Student Advisory Representative, Ben has strived to represent all students throughout the school district not just a select few. He continues to work daily to solve the issues set before him.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Matanuska Susitna School District
• Award Category Humanitarian, Role Model

Arianna, as part of the Seward Sources of Strength Peer Leader team, creates and implements youth led campaigns to foster connection, highlight resilience and increase help seeking behaviors in her school and community. She works to normalize conversations about struggle and how teens can recognize resilience in their own lives and get connected to resources to receive the help that they need and deserve through stories of strength. Arianna is incredibly strong and shares stories of strength from her own life that have an impact on her peers.

Arianna also shines as a leader putting on school-wide activities to increase connection and fight isolative factors. She serves as a resource to her peers as she has been trained as a connector to help, and provides other teens with knowledge of local resources and trusted adults that can help in a time of crisis.

• Home Town Seward
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
• Award Category Life Saver, Role Model

The Sources of Strength Peer Leader team creates and implements youth led campaigns to foster connection, highlight resilience and increase help seeking behaviors in their school and community. The team works to normalize conversations about struggle and how teens can recognize resilience in their own lives and get connected to resources to get the help that they need and deserve through stories of strength. Their mission is to ensure that during the rough times no one gets so overwhelmed or hopeless that they want to give up. Being a peer led program- the power of their efforts comes from their youth voice and the influence they have among their peers.

 

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