Henry joined West High’s Hearts of Oceania club after experiencing personal challenges. He has embraced the mission of the group, having become a leader in organizing club events and teaching cultural dances that help perpetuate the Pacific Islander culture. Henry is a role model and mentor to his club members.
Kassidy and Samantha spent the summer tending to Eagle River’s Town Square flowerbeds. The girls put in 40 hours each, pruning flowers, picking up trash and making sure Town Square looked wonderful for all of Eagle River and its visitors to enjoy. They also helped plant flowers in spring with the Chugiak High School Key Club and helped pull the flowers out in fall.
THAT Team visits schools to promote robotics education. They hosted a “build-a-bot” workshop to show younger children how to build a robot and program it to perform tasks.
The East High FIRST Robotics team not only builds and competes with robots, but they also inspire younger students to get involved in STEM-related activities. They host workshops in the community and visit local elementary schools where they perform robot demonstrations.
Naomi has taken an active role in advocating for public education for all students in the State of Alaska. She testified to state legislators in support of local, in-person school teachers as opposed to distance education. She believes schools can provide high-quality public education for all students despite budget cuts and legislative changes.
Alisa is passionate about marine biology. In 2015 she received the Ocean Youth Award for her dedication to promoting the understanding and stewardship of Alaska’s oceans. She was an intern at the Campbell Creek Science Center and has contributed to many re-vegetation and beautification projects around the Campbell tract. Her excitement and commitment to science is an inspiration to her peers.
Alta is passionate about the health of Alaska’s waters. She has spent four summers independently researching ocean acidification in Prince William Sound and has presented her findings at the Alaska Marine Science Symposium and the Alaska State Science and Engineering Fair.
Alleah provides child care during evening services at her church where she loves reading to children of all ages. She also participates every year in Operation Christmas Child, which sends care packages to children all over the world.
Paxson uses her love for volleyball to inspire younger girls to lead healthy, active lifestyles. She has coached a 5th grade team, kept score during games and organized an adult women’s team. In high school she and her team participated in the Spike Out Cancer campaign, which helped raise more than $35,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Renatta had a tough time adjusting to boarding school life, but she has overcome academic and athletic challenges in her time at Mt. Edgecumbe. She is captain of the volleyball team and basketball team, member of the National Honors Society and assists new students with campus orientation.
Virginia used her journalism experience to start a student-run newspaper at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. She participates in many community events including educating middle school students about healthy relationships and teaching disadvantaged youth how to channel their emotions toward creative endeavors.
Ahlena serves as a babysitter at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Her service allows parents to attend AA meetings uninterrupted without being concerned for their children’s welfare. She has been a huge sober support for the city of Anchorage.
Taylor and Kate planned, organized and staged a breast cancer walk at South High School, which raised funds for the Alaska Run for Women. The money raised by the cancer walk was a direct contribution to the AKRFW’s grants program and helped support breast cancer outreach, prevention and cure programs supported by the run.
Christian is dedicated to the student peer council and is an advocate at the local crisis center. She plans several events throughout the year to bring community members together.
Larry interviewed elders in his community and created a film on the environmental impacts of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. He was instrumental in setting up and running camera equipment. He shared his final film at a community-wide film screening.
Carrie interviewed elders in her community and created a film on the environmental impacts of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. Many of the interviews were conducted in Yup’ik and Sugstun. She shared her final film at a community-wide film screening.
Shannyn has dedicated hundreds of hours as a certified juvenile attorney, mediator and judge for North Star Youth Court. She has conducted youth trainings on drug and alcohol awareness and is a member of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action where she mentors other AYEA youth with developing their leadership skills, organization and passion toward the environment.
Lifesaver & Prevention: Serenity is passionate about suicide prevention and promotes anti-bullying at Colony Middle School.
