Shannon McCarty lives in Metlakatla in Southeast Alaska, a small community where Tsimshian traditions are a foundation of daily life. Shannon is a well-respected caregiver for local children, even encouraging her peers to become babysitters so that other families of Metlakatla will have safe, responsible childcare services for their youngsters. Shannon is also a student-teacher […]
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Emil Lopez believes that all young people deserve to be heard, and he’s working to bring awareness and solutions to amplify the youth voice in Alaska. A keynote speaker for a recent youth summit, Emil brings to the table an awareness of and solutions for the role of young citizens. A student at Bettye Davie East […]
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Adreanna both participates in and volunteers with the Fairbanks arts community through dance and performance. She uses her talents to speak up and motivate others to live creatively. Adreanna often travels for performances, and has won awards while representing various Alaska dance companies. She also volunteers her time to the dance community, performs at local charity […]
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Max took initiative to refurbish Seward’s only outdoor basketball court as a recreational gathering place for older youth. He organized a group of volunteers to replace the aging cement court with a new play surface, raising funds and gathering donations from local businesses to complete the project. Max took on fundraising and business donations, and in […]
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Ethan’s contribution to the Anchorage music community is significant. He is involved in numerous performing ensembles throughout Anchorage. He has contributed heavily to the Eagle River High School Band, Jazz Band, and other specialty ensembles. Additionally, he’s been an integral part of the Robert Arms Jazz program and the Youth Symphony. Ethan has also started […]
Read MoreIsabelle is a talented actress and has performed in almost every school and community theater production in Sitka for the past four years. The performances she’s involved in help share important social, emotional and intellectual messages. They also entertain and help viewers escape from their daily challenges.
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Mia is working with KSTK 101.7 FM in Wrangell, Alaska to create a podcast series about the Tlingit language. By broadcasting Tlingit phrases and their English translations, she is helping to preserve the language Indigenous to her community.
Read MoreDouglas is a Native Tlingit freestyle rap artist. He frequently raps about his home of Klukwan. He is an advocate for music, his peers, for Native Alaskans, Tlingit culture and creatives everywhere. He speaks with intent in his raps and is always looking for solutions despite living though and enduring very troubling experiences.
Read MoreRobert is involved in the Alyeska Ski Club and is a participant in the Native Games and the World Eskimo Indian Olympics. He voluntarily teaches and coaches his fellow ski team members in the Native Games. He has worked with local media to set trapping regulations for the State of Alaska in order to make […]
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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.
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