Leena Edais

Leena has been a dauntless advocate for tobacco prevention activities among her peers. She co-wrote a prerecorded video/slide presentation about the negative health effects and danger of nicotine addiction, that was shown to hundreds of other students in the Northwest Arctic Borough School District via video chat. She is presently planning the Youth Encouraging Alaskans Health (YEAH) Summit for 2023, and will be one of the main emcees.

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

Abbey Markell

Abbey Markell started her own business from scratch, baking healthy, homemade dog cookies and cakes in attractive fun shapes and colors to support a local pet supply store’s two locations. Alaskans can now purchase locally-baked, customized options of cute cookies and adorable birthday and “Gotcha-Day” cakes that are nutritionally-balanced and free from preservatives.

Says Abbey’s nominator, “It’s clear to me that Abbey is not doing this for the money. Indeed, she makes many treats that are intended to give away. Abbey gives away very many treats to family, friends, and their friends. Expired treats (plus bonuses) go to the Alaska SPCA.”

 

Savannah Hawkins

Savannah is a volunteer/junior staff member at Kasilof Boys and Girls Club. Says her nominator:  “We became so impressed with her willingness to volunteer and help make sure our kids have the success they need to have a great day.”

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

Carrissa Heitstuman

Carrissa is an integral part of the Kasilof Boys and Girls Club, assisting staff with activities and ensuring younger members have positive guidance for their time spent at the club.

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

Cassidy Kruse

Cassidy is a member of the youth volunteer team at Kasilof Boys and Girls Club, providing assistance with activities, and acting as a role model for younger club members.

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

Chloe Jacko

Chloe is a valued staff member of the Kasilof Boys and Girls Club, where she assists with activities and acts as a role model to younger members. Says her nominator, “Kids look up to and respect her.”

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

Jaeden Binion

Jaeden is an incredible leader and is passionate about spreading the message of inclusion. He is a Special Olympics Alaska athlete and is one of two Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassadors representing Alaska. Jaeden takes seriously his role as an inspirational advocate for those with intellectual disabilities.

 

Honey Kadake

Honey participated in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, learning about legislative processes, and gained skills in peer-to-peer leadership and community advocacy.

  • Home Town
  • School District Kake City School District
  • Award Category Humanitarian

Destiny Nusbaum

Destiny participated in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, gaining skills of community advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and learning about Alaska’s legislative processes.

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

Deja Hitchens

Deja was a participant in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, and learned valuable skills of community advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and gained an understanding of Alaska’s legislative process.

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

Sophie Nylen

Sophie participated in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, gaining skills in community advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and an understanding of Alaska’s legislative process.

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

Dana Semaken

Dana participated in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, gaining valuable skills of community advocacy and peer-to-peer leadership, and an understanding of Alaska’s legislative processes.

  • Home Town
  • School District Galena City School District
  • Award Category Humanitarian

Annie Downey

Annie participated in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, learning valuable skills of community advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and an understanding of Alaska’s legislative process.

  • Home Town
  • School District Galena City School District
  • Award Category Humanitarian

Olivia Smith

Olivia was a member of the Youth Leadership Institute, sponsored by the Association of Alaska School Boards. She gained valuable skills of advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and understanding the legislative process.

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

Ellen Redington

Ellen took part in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ Youth Leadership Institute, gaining valuable skills of advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and the legislative process.

  • Home Town
  • School District Educators Rising
  • Award Category Humanitarian

Preston Hammond

Preston took part in the Association of Alaska School Boards’ annual Youth Leadership Institute, learning skills of advocacy, peer-to-peer leadership, and legislative process.

  • Home Town
  • School District Denali Borough School District
  • Award Category Humanitarian

Kailene Vea-Spencer

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.

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

Espen Hennick

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.

 

  • Home Town Ninilchik
  • School District Homer

Hannah Lewellyn

“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.

  • Home Town Fairbanks
  • School District IDEA Homeschool
  • Award Category Innovator, Visionary, Role Model

Sophia Layos-Wagaman

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.”