Garrett Nickle

December 17, 2015

Garrett is helping improve the quality of life for many people in the Tanana Valley through his giving and advocacy on behalf of United Way. He participates in all of his workplace United Way events such as the chili cook off and department competitions. He is an inspiration to all with his leadership and giving.

Read More

Kiana LeBel Wood

December 16, 2015

Kiana is passionate about her community and caring for children. She volunteers with youth in her church and mentors foster children. Her family adopted two children from the Philippines in 2011 and she has been committed to their being healthy and loved.

Read More

Rest in Fleece

Middle schoolers at Northern Lights ABC School created the company Rest in Fleece, which sells student-made fleece blankets. The students pay wages to their employees, commission to their sales team, and made a 10% donation to Beans Cafe this year. They are empowered to run their own company, make their own decisions and experience the full life cycle of a business.

Read More

Joie Jackson

December 11, 2015

Joie led the “Treats for Troops” project at her school where students put together care packages for troops serving overseas.  Joie was involved in every step of the project up to and including loading up the packages for shipment. She helped create a sense of community, togetherness and camaraderie among the student body.

Read More

Rowan Folds

December 10, 2015

Rowan was the only Alaskan chosen to be a part of the U.S. Women’s Ski Jumping Team’s Fly Girls camp. She is now sharing her experience with other girls and encouraging them to get involved in sports. She inspires girls to be confident and courageous.

Read More

Lacayah Engebertson

December 9, 2015

Lacayah is passionate about becoming an educator and has plans to help change the education system to benefit Alaska Native youth. When she was keynote speaker at the 2015 First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference she spoke about how Native youth need to learn resilience. She shared that she has suffered during her short life, but faith and […]

Read More

Kinani Halvorsen

Kinani is enthusiastic about music. From bass trombone to piano, music fills her with a feeling beyond words. She got a digeridoo when she was in elementary school and has taught herself to play the indigenous Aboriginal instrument.

Read More

Sydney Zuyus

November 24, 2015

Sydney started a group called the Bella Campaign where they reach out to girls who don’t see their own beauty and provide them with a makeover and a photo shoot. Through this transformation, the girls feel beautiful, happy and are confident in themselves.

Read More

Fairbanks Youth for Habitat Program

November 20, 2015

Fairbanks Youth for Habitat organized a streambank restoration and rain garden project. Their creation improves the water quality and natural habitats along the Chena River and makes it a better place for salmon and other wildlife.

Read More

Abigail Lampley

Abigail has had many struggles in life. Due to brain surgery she can no longer use the left side of her body. She started her first job at Steamdriven Boutique where she manages the social media account. She is an inspiration to those who have undergone the same type of surgery and spoke at the Hemispherectomy Conference when she […]

Read More

Shannyn Bird

Shannyn Bird has led statewide youth campaigns to fight climate change, protect wild salmon, and advocate for local food. She  is a Youth Organizer with Alaska Youth for Environmental Action and has galvanized youth in the interior to stand up for a sustainable future for Alaska.

Read More

Christiane “Bunno” Chayalkun

Bunno is the President of the Cup’ik Qissunamiut Youth Group in Chevak, which helps out the community and focuses on bullying and suicide prevention. She is also an active member of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action and attended the 2015 Youth Organizer Summit.

Read More

Caleb Reed

Caleb is recovering from brain tumor surgery. Despite his medical struggles, he has put in more than 100 hours of community service and has been involved in band, choir, football, wrestling, and many other school activities.

Read More

Alexandra Shannon

Alexandra is planning a project to educate others about children who have Dyslexia. She’s working on creating a film, survey and website so users may learn what it is like to live with this disability and teach those who are diagnosed so they can build relationships and promote growth for students.

Read More

Dashon King

November 11, 2015

Dashon is certified for ETT and EMT I and regularly assists with medical emergencies. He is deaf in both ears but does not let this complication keep him from saving lives.

Read More

Janette Lewis

Janette participates in the Unangam Tunuu Revitalization Project where she helps preserve her Aleut heritage. She also works with her community to enhance language and connections to elders in St. Paul and Anchorage.

Read More

Collin Williams

Collin regularly volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club of Metlakatla and assists in special youth events. He helps provide a fun and safe environment for youth outside of school. He encourages and uplifts youth around him.

Read More

Gustavus Student Government

November 6, 2015

Teens at Gustavus school have started the first student government in several years. They created a new recycling system, set up hall monitors for school safety and regularly lead pep rallies. The group has started reshaping the community’s attitude toward teens.

Read More

Kendra Brush

Kendra volunteers as an archery instructor Women on Target and taught archery mini-courses at her school. She is a positive role model and inspiration to peers.

Read More

PaKou Yang

November 4, 2015

PaKou led her peers in developing school-wide peer education programs on seat belt safety and anti-texting. She’s a role model to her Hmong peers and encourages fellow students to be involved in their community.

Read More