Middle schoolers at Northern Lights ABC School created the company Rest in Fleece, which sells student-made fleece blankets. The students pay wages to their employees, commission to their sales team, and made a 10% donation to Beans Cafe this year. They are empowered to run their own company, make their own decisions and experience the full life cycle of a business.
Joie led the “Treats for Troops” project at her school where students put together care packages for troops serving overseas. Joie was involved in every step of the project up to and including loading up the packages for shipment. She helped create a sense of community, togetherness and camaraderie among the student body.
Jocelyn volunteers for Junior Nordic Ski Club where she helps elementary school students learn to ski. She also leads Socially Active Youth Vocalizing Empowerment, a group that helps young people be heard.
Rowan was the only Alaskan chosen to be a part of the U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping Team’s Fly Girls camp. She is now sharing her experience with other girls and encouraging them to get involved in sports. She inspires girls to be confident and courageous.
Lacayah is passionate about becoming an educator and has plans to help change the education system to benefit Alaska Native youth. When she was keynote speaker at the 2015 First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference she spoke about how Native youth need to learn resilience. She shared that she has suffered during her short life, but faith and persistence got her through those times.
Kinani is enthusiastic about music. From bass trombone to piano, music fills her with a feeling beyond words. She got a digeridoo when she was in elementary school and has taught herself to play the indigenous Aboriginal instrument.
Sydney started a group called the Bella Campaign where they reach out to girls who don’t see their own beauty and provide them with a makeover and a photo shoot. Through this transformation, the girls feel beautiful, happy and are confident in themselves.
Fairbanks Youth for Habitat organized a streambank restoration and rain garden project. Their creation improves the water quality and natural habitats along the Chena River and makes it a better place for salmon and other wildlife.
Abigail has had many struggles in life. Due to brain surgery she can no longer use the left side of her body. She started her first job at Steamdriven Boutique where she manages the social media account. She is an inspiration to those who have undergone the same type of surgery and spoke at the Hemispherectomy Conference when she was 14.
Shannyn Bird has led statewide youth campaigns to fight climate change, protect wild salmon, and advocate for local food. She is a Youth Organizer with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action and has galvanized youth in the interior to stand up for a sustainable future for Alaska.
Bunno is the President of the Cup’ik Qissunamiut Youth Group in Chevak, which helps out the community and focuses on bullying and suicide prevention. She is also an active member of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action and attended the 2015 Youth Organizer Summit.
Caleb is recovering from brain tumor surgery. Despite his medical struggles, he has put in more than 100 hours of community service and has been involved in band, choir, football, wrestling, and many other school activities.
Alexandra is planning a project to educate others about children who have Dyslexia. She’s working on creating a film, survey and website so users may learn what it is like to live with this disability and teach those who are diagnosed so they can build relationships and promote growth for students.
Janette participates in the Unangam Tunuu Revitalization Project where she helps preserve her Aleut heritage. She also works with her community to enhance language and connections to elders in St. Paul and Anchorage.
Collin regularly volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Metlakatla and assists in special youth events. He helps provide a fun and safe environment for youth outside of school. He encourages and uplifts youth around him.
Teens at Gustavus school have started the first student government in several years. They created a new recycling system, set up hall monitors for school safety and regularly lead pep rallies. The group has started reshaping the community’s attitude toward teens.
PaKou led her peers in developing school-wide peer education programs on seat belt safety and anti-texting. She’s a role model to her Hmong peers and encourages fellow students to be involved in their community.
Esau is helping his community of Shishmaref and all of Alaska through his advocacy on behalf of his village and his culture. His actions have helped share the story of a village that is disappearing and will need to relocate because of rising sea levels and erosion. In addition to his environmental endeavors, Esau is also a subsistence hunter, Native Youth Olympics participant, and deeply involved in his Inupiaq culture.
