Spirit of Youth

Alex has volunteered for two years leading after-school athletics programs for Campbell Elementary School. From flag football to open gym, more than 55 youth have looked to Alex as a role model and leader.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Service To Children

Port Graham Student Council put together fundraisers so their school could have art classes. Middle and high school students lead the younger students in bi-monthly art projects, which creates strong relationships within the community.

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

Brianna is dedicated to educating her community about childhood cancer. In honor of her close friend who passed away she coordinated a fundraiser and collected more than $1,400 for the community.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks
• Award Category Service To Peers, Service To Children

Conor is a corporal in the Marines JROTC where he is an example for his peers that setting goals is a positive step in achieving success. He is also an active member of North Star Youth Court where he serves as an attorney, board member, PR person and ethics council member.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star
• Award Category Business & Government, Service To Community

Jack has a passion for hockey. When he saw that his local rink was in need of improvements, he decided to make it the focus of his Eagle Scout service project. He designed, constructed and installed a trophy case for the Harry J. McDonald Memorial Center in Eagle River.

• Home Town Eagle River
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Service To Community

Hannah is a member of North Star Youth Court where she’s taken many cases and helped with fundraising. She trained for Conflict Resolutions and Alternatives to Violence – Alaska, which will help her serve as a youth court attorney and mediator.

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

Zachary is an active member of North Star Youth Court where he serves as Chief Judge and as a board member. This year he successfully negotiated a challenging situation.  Zach showed outstanding leadership skills and used his training in mediation to achieve this outcome.

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star
• Award Category Business & Government, Service To Peers

Jivan has volunteered hundreds of hours for Fairbanks programs that improve the lives of youth. His work with Fairbanks Prevention Coalition aims to stop underage drinking. As president of North Star Youth Court he helps his peers make better choices. He started a program called Kick-It-Kids, which applies the principles of Tae Kwon Do to help youth build a foundation of respect for themselves and othe

• Home Town Fairbanks
• School District Fairbanks North Star
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Community

Carrie helps in raising awareness of the risks of e-cigarettes. She played a big part in the making of an e-cigarette prevention short film from developing the characters to brainstorming the script.

• Home Town Nanwalek
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Media & Technology

Michael spent approximately 500 hours volunteering with his church to replace an unsafe staircase. The new stairs provide safe access for community members who use the church’s resources.

• Home Town Eagle River
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Faith-Based Service, Service To Community

The Vinyl Floors, a four-person band, plays at community events around Anchorage from the Mayor’s inauguration to the Earth Care Jamboree. They have released a CD and are a positive example for young people.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Fine Arts

Alexander designed and constructed mini book distribution centers and installed them around his community in an effort to increase literacy among children and support the 90% by 2020 initiative. Because of his leadership his book centers have distributed more than 1,300 books to children in the Anchorage area.

• Home Town Eagle River
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Faith-Based Service, Service To Children

As part of his Eagle Scout service project, Ilia designed and constructed a bike helmet station so that youth at his church could bike more safely. He collected donations of new helmets from the community and has helped make sure kids are safe while riding their bikes.

• Home Town Eagle River
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Faith-Based Service

East High School Student Government created two media projects to address teen driving safety issues. They engaged students with positive messages, creating healthy social norms and drawing awareness to the habit of using seat belts and refraining from distracted driving.

• Home Town Anchorage
• School District Anchorage
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Peers, Media & Technology

Alakanuk Youth Group provides community activities for children in an effort to reduce suicide and bullying. They promote healthy activities and are a support to youth in need.

• Home Town Alakanuk
• School District Lower Yukon
• Award Category Lifesaver & Prevention, Service To Peers, Service To Children

Tshanna is dedicated to helping children in her village through volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club. When the facility isn’t available she helps coordinate with the school for gym use time. She knows how to make the most out of limited resources when it comes to teaching and playing with children.

• Home Town Tyonek
• School District Kenai Peninsula School District
• Award Category Service To Children

This group of Voznesenka students got first-hand experience in local government when they worked with Homer City Council on an agenda last summer. They also led and facilitated the Project Grad Village Youth Forum live on KBBI AM 890 in Homer where they discussed village youth issues and interests.

• Home Town Homer,
• School District Kenai Peninsula Borough
• Award Category Business & Government

Will is a youth board member of Radio Free Palmer as well as a volunteer. He fills in for the morning show, produces news pieces and interviews and assists with a student-run monthly radio show.

• Home Town Wasilla
• School District Mat Su Borough
• Award Category Service To Community, Media & Technology

This is the third year Annie has organized and implemented the Ski-for-Aid, a 5k race to honor her middle school teacher. All the proceeds from the race are donated to Brother Francis Shelter. She has worked with Olympians Holly Brooks and Kikkan Randall on the Fast and Female events, which encourages young girls to be athletic and healthy. Annie also volunteers for local youth skiing programs.

• Home Town Chugiak
• School District Anchorage

The Hooper Bay Native Survivors Dance Group perform traditional and modern dances and songs. Through teamwork they create lifelong friendships and encourage one another to face life’s challenges with positivity.

• Home Town Hooper Bay,
• School District Lower Yukon
• Award Category Cultural Pursuits, Service To Peers