Mia helps to beautify Cordova by picking invasive species and helping to maintain the local native plant garden. She helps with community recycling efforts and to organize a youth-led march to garner support and attention for climate change. She is also an advocate for her generation — she serves as the student council representative to […]
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Ryann is a member of Student Council, Native Youth Olympics, a Sources of Strength youth leader at school, and a teen member on the Port Graham Native Council. Ryann also independently created artwork for a sweatshirt that amplified the voices of missing and murdered indigenous women.
Read MoreDenise was involved in renaming East High School to Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School, and was the only young person that testified at a school board meeting in support of the name change. Additionally, she has become a leader in her church choir, is very involved in the trio Upward Bound and participated in […]
Read MoreWhile involved in the PenPal Program, which connected students from Alaska with students from Uganda, Ron emotionally supported his penpal who had been a victim of police brutality at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement this summer. Ron also created a supportive and safe space for other students to process this story and […]
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Sage had planned on going to Canada to compete in the Arctic Winter Games, but was unable to because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He participated in several online native games challenges and was able to represent Team Anchorage, medalling in several events this fall and winter. Additionally, Sage joined practice to mentor a younger athlete.
Read MoreMatthew has been coaching and teaching youth across his community traditional games, healthy living, running and Tlingit cultural values. He has coached the Boys Run Program at Glacier Valley Elementary and the Native Youth Olympics. He is passionate about his culture and passing down the knowledge to younger generations.
Read MoreThe Native Leadership Council at East High School prepared 333 care packages for Alaska Native and American Indian Students to prevent feelings of isolation and help them connect with other teens. The bags will be delivered in the next three weeks.
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Ian is part of Student Council and Native Dance group, and he helps and advocates for fundraisers and activities. Additionally, he helps to control the bullying in town. He’s one of biggest, oldest and most respected so most all the kids listen to him.
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Shreya Sujith is one of the 2020-2021 performing directors on the Alaska Youth Orchestras Board. They worked with the Be An Arts Hero campaign, which is a nationwide effort to increase awareness around advocating for arts relief during the COVID crisis. They engaged in a letter writing campaign to reach out to state and nationwide […]
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Averyl Cobb is one of the 2020-2021 performing directors on the Alaska Youth Orchestras Board. They worked with the Be An Arts Hero campaign, which is a nationwide effort to increase awareness around advocating for arts relief during the COVID crisis. They engaged in a letter writing campaign to reach out to state and nationwide […]
Read MoreMekenna has been involved in marching band, science olympiad, hockey, roller derby, track and National Honor Society at Colony High school. She advocates for the teachers and students and she takes time out of her busy schedule to always remember the Mat-Su School District and all that it provided for her.
Read MoreShane completed the Native Youth Olympics Coaches-In-Training program and is currently one of the middle school coaches in the Juneau School District. He proudly supports youth in the program and hopes to impart lessons of positive cultural self-identity, respect, teamwork and determination that helped him find his potential.
Read MoreNyche is involved in many groups that focus on advocacy for Native students and people. She created and is president of the Indigenous Student Union, the Vice Chairwoman of the Anchorage School District’s Native Advisory Committee, a member of the Equal Opportunities Program and is an intern at Southcentral Foundation’s RAISE program.
Read MoreOlivia Mashiana is a powerful civic community service leader. She is an active and involved member of Youth Leaders, attending the annual Youth Leader Retreat and other conferences to brainstorm and plan ways to improve the school climate. She is also involved in Student Council and school leadership. As the 11th Grade Representative, Olivia is […]
Read MoreVictoria is a powerful civic community service leader. She is an active and involved member of Youth Leaders, attending the annual Youth Leader Retreat and other conferences to brainstorm and plan ways to improve the school climate. She is also involved in Student Council and school leadership. As the Spirit Chair, Victoria promotes a positive […]
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Derek has learned how to produce professional looking traditional attire. He sews nightly with his aana, spending time with her and passing on traditions. Most of his garments, which are coveted by many in Kotzebue, are given away for free. He takes all his free time and spends it with his family, sewing, learning traditional […]
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Geneva is a member of her student government, captain of her debate team, and has helped pass a resolution to support a Tagalog class in the Anchorage School District. When funding failed from ASD, she looked for opportunities in the Anchorage Assembly to figure out alternatives to a Tagalog class. She also joined the Alaska […]
Read MoreJessica Yang serves as a youth influencer on a national learning network project of Alaska Community Mental Healthy Services, Alaska Seeds of Change, Alaska Youth Advocates as they work to develop services for youth that are easily accessible and lead to positive outcomes. She is also a part of Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling (MHATS), […]
Read MoreZoe Kaplan is part of Mental Health Advocacy Through Storytelling (MHATS), an organization that aims to reduce the stigma around mental illness and open conversations about mental health through storytelling. MHATS is advocating for state legislation that would require mental health education in schools. Zoe uses her personal struggle with physical illness and depression to […]
Read MoreKatie is involved in a variety of volunteer opportunities. She volunteers as a math tutor twice a week. She founded and is a co-teacher for an after school guitar club once a week. She is also active in her schools Volunteer Club which has worked with Mobile Medics, The Salvation Army, and the Food Bank […]
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