Kailene serves on the Anchorage Youth Court with aspirations of becoming a lawyer. She also stepped up to participate in the Pacific Community of Alaska’s “Bridging the Gaps” project, to bring awareness of unique mental health and identity struggles faced by Alaska’s Pacific Islander community.
Living life on the autism spectrum, Espen is a proud representative of his school in varsity soccer, swimming, and basketball; and as a musician, playing the violin. Espen dedicates the majority of his day to school and activities, but also holds down three different after-school jobs, with the hope to create a non-profit organization to support a youth strings program for six to 12th-grade students at Homer Middle and High Schools. With funding raised, music students would be able to access mentorship, lessons, and instruments.
Espen has risen to the challenges social and behavioral disabilities present, but his diligence and tenacity have proven that one can thrive, not just survive, if given the opportunities and tools. His hope is to attend college and become a special education teacher, to pass along the same support he has received over the years.
“Making the impossible, possible” is Hannah’s personal motto, and everything she does comes from this tremendous work ethic. Hannah participates in Lego Challenge events, developing robotic figures that challenge students’ abilities in technology and science. She has assisted younger students with the skills of coding and problem-solving, helping them to develop into worthy members of Lego clubs and competitions.
Hannah also contributes to her community in service-oriented ways, working with homeless youth and traveling to Peru on a humanitarian mission trip. She looks forward to attending a trade school and furthering her interest in technology and science by studying electrical engineering, and applying those skills to a community’s needs.
Sophia Layos-Wagaman is an aspiring circus arts performer from Fairbanks. A competitive gymnast since 2013, Sophia has competed at U.S. Gymnastics invitationals in Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Alaska. She has spent the last four years adding circus skills to her repertoire including straps, lyra, wire and partner acrobatics. She performed with the Golden Heart Performing Arts Studio in the 2021 Solstice Soiree at Golden Heart Performing Arts. Sophia was also the the first-ever recipient of the $5,000 CSAW Tuition Grant for a U.S. Circus Artist of Color.
Additionally, Sophia has volunteered for events at the Fairbanks Children’s Museum, offering her time and talent to brighten the days of her community’s kids. Sophia’s nominator states “Sophia’s backstory is one of tenacity and perseverance. It’s wonderful to see her blossom and pursue her desire to study and perform circus arts, and even more wonderful to see her contributions to the Fairbanks community and beyond through performance, volunteerism, and athletics.”
Elizabeth is a motivated innovator who loves learning. Her project titled, “Development of Seaweed Bioplastics to Alleviate Environmental Plastic Pollution,” involved testing protypes of a biodegradable bioplastic cup, with the goal of engineering a cup that could be used in place of traditional plastics. With plastic pollution affecting the oceans, this is an Alaskan and global issue. Elizabeth’s project ended up as a finalist in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair where she won the opportunity to represent Alaska.
Additionally, Elizabeth is the president of the Future Women of STEM club, which forms a community of high-school girls interested in pursuing a career in the field of STEM, an area with traditionally fewer women. Together, the club forms a supportive group that reaches out to local experts in STEM fields to meet up with the members so they can learn more about different STEM pathways. The club also volunteers at local elementary schools in an effort to bring STEM events to younger kids.
Sean works hard to improve the community by being a great student, a wonderful teammate, and a great friend to others. He encourages everyone to work hard, and cheers for not only his team, but also for those friends on rival teams. Sean encourages everyone (including adults) to work hard. He is so gregorious and silly that he is extremely loved, with little hockey players and little brothers and sisters who adore him because he talks to them, gets down on their level, and hears them. He knows that children have a voice and he encourages them to use it.
He was chosen to be on Team Alaska Tier 1 hockey, and selected an assistant captain because of his strong leadership skills. Sean also works as a hockey referee in his spare time to help mitigate costs of this expensive sport.
Abigail creates an inclusive, welcoming environment for all students at Next Step Dance Kodiak studio as a teacher. She also volunteers at Kodiak High School’s Food Pantry project, working to help alleviate food insecurity among Kodiak youth.
Yedidia embodies the spirit of fine arts, with a love of singing, violin, and drawing as her primary interests, using these media to express her feelings in a positive way. She also serves as an officer of the Anchorage Youth Court, and created her own business called “YY Sweets,” donating profits to charity.
Jeff overcame personal obstacles to become a peer mentor and role model at the Fairbanks Boys and Girls Club. His nominators say “In the face of adversity, Jeff has consistently persevered and channeled the challenges he has faced to work in his favor.”
In 2020 Rebecca started her own non-profit organization, Big Air Becca, dedicated to providing opportunities for underserved youth to experience the outdoors. An avid free-skier, Rebecca brings skills of advocacy, fundraising, and leadership to her sessions teaching kids to ski, climb, and enjoy Alaska’s outside spaces.
Aaron is an intuitive, natural leader as a longtime member of the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club, working to set up activities and events for younger members. A gifted student of music and video production, Aaron is a valued member of his high school and neighborhood community.
Luke is a longtime volunteer in the Alaska Youth Stewards program, addressing the issues of local littering and regional marine debris across the Southeast Alaska region. Additionally, Luke serves his fellow classmates through a small school cafe’, managing all aspects of the business himself.
Catey is a member of National Honor Society, South High School’s yearbook staff, and acts as the Community Relations/Service Projects Commissioner for South’s Student Government. She also has mentored other students with Cerebral Palsy at her school and online through a website called CHASA (Childhood Hemiplegia and Stroke Association).
Briley is a mentor, volunteer, and advocate for those less fortunate. She donates her time to help empower young girls to set goals for themselves, improve their self-confidence, and become stewards of their own communities.
Says their nominator: “Samantha and Pauline are the students who keep this school running.” These Stellar Secondary School students are involved in their student government as the Vice President and Social Media liaison, making sure events and activities run smoothly through their modeling and leadership.
Sycely is a student leader with a passion for student mental health advocacy. Over the past year, Sycely has dedicated significant time and energy to raising public awareness of student mental health issues, and she has sought to improve conditions for young people in our state.
Serenity is a high school sophomore who focuses on life’s bigger picture while working hard to advocate for others in her community. She is a member of the Eagle River Boys and Girls Club, and volunteers with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women events each year.
Alora, Trista and Harmony, as 5th graders, began an initiative to change the derogatory name of a local creek in Dillingham after learning the origins of the name at a presentation at the Curyung Tribal Council. The girls discussed the slur amongst themselves and came to the conclusion that a change needed to be made, and got it done.
Cheyenne is dedicated to her Tlingit heritage, taking advantage of all learning opportunities, including formline design, beading, dancing and singing, and talking with community elders. As a young woman invested in learning about and preserving her Tlingit culture, she invites and normalizes this level of cultural engagement amongst her peers.
Lauryn is addressing problems like renewable energy and sustainability for rural Alaskans, and is focused on the bigger picture of helping remote communities regarding environmental issues, renewable energies, and gathering people together.
