Tikvah Olson

December 19, 2024

Tikvah Olson exemplifies dedication and compassion, spending five years supporting Alaska’s at-risk youth and families. Even as a camper, she helped prepare camps, organized logistics, and created welcoming spaces. Her care shines through her effort to bake a personal birthday cake for each of the 50 campers, ensuring every child feels valued and loved. As […]

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Emmerson Kapp

December 9, 2024

Emmerson Kapp, a junior at Soldotna High School, leads with passion as the KPBSD Board of Education Student Representative. She represents students from 42 schools, gathering their input and sharing updates with the board. At meetings, she delivers reports and casts an advisory vote, ensuring student voices influence decisions. Emmerson inspires peers to speak at […]

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Dustty Heckel

Dustty is a dedicated and active member of his community. As a camp den leader and welding instructor with Scouts of America, he has helped Scouts achieve merit badges while fostering their growth and skills. His volunteer efforts span numerous organizations, including The Salvation Army Operation Santa, the Fur Rondy Royalty Pageant, and the American […]

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Joshua Pak

Joshua is a dedicated youth leader and advocate. As the Student Advisory Board President for the Anchorage School District, he represents all students in the district. He also serves as Bar President of Anchorage Youth Court and Section 8 Representative on the National Federation of High Schools National Student Advisory Council. His impressive resume highlights […]

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Mika Grubis

December 5, 2024

Mika is a dedicated high school student whose passion for helping others is evident in her impactful projects. As a freshman, she organized a month-long School Community Book Drive, collecting over 900 books for the Fairbanks Literacy Council to promote literacy and encourage community involvement. Mika handled every detail, from creating fliers to coordinating collections. […]

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Hunter Hayden

November 14, 2024

Hunter, president of Dimond Robotics, has expanded STEM access for Anchorage youth. He has volunteered over 120 hours this year, mentoring multiple FIRST LEGO League teams. Hunter co-founded The Lynx Initiative (TLI) to create robotics programs for underserved students. As the youngest board member of the Alaska Museum of Science & Nature, he champions youth-led […]

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Dominic Blair

November 6, 2024

Dominic Blair took on a leading role as narrator in the SHI theater workshop, held over spring break in Ketchikan, where he inspired others by showing pride in his Alaska Native identity. Throughout the production, Dominic exemplified a strong work ethic and encouraged his peers, offering support to those struggling with lines or performance nerves. […]

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Teagann Smith

Teagann, now in her second term as student body president, has shown exceptional leadership by creating a more inclusive and supportive school environment. Her initiative to establish an on-campus weight room has given students and families in the community a much-needed space for fitness, especially valuable in their rural Alaskan village where fitness facilities are […]

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Knud Larson

Knud is a dedicated volunteer who makes a profound impact on youth-led, trauma-informed projects at REACH 907. His work starts well before camp, as he prepares supplies and logistics, ensuring everything is ready for these critical programs. At camp, Knud connects directly with at-risk youth, offering support, guidance, and compassion. This summer, he even served […]

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Arthur Frank

November 1, 2024

Arthur Frank, president of Craig High School, brings positivity and kindness to his school and community. He’s dedicated to supporting school activities, finding new ways to fund sports, and inspiring others with his drive and generosity. Outside of school, Arthur volunteers regularly, helps with community projects, and even runs his own wood-selling business. Known for […]

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Quinzee

Quinzee has volunteered over 100 hours with Challenge Alaska Adaptive Ski & Ride School, becoming a certified sit-ski instructor and inspiring friends to join. As the program’s most dedicated volunteer under 18, she focuses on student safety and confidence, helping them fit harnesses, ride the chairlift, and overcome fears. Her commitment grew even stronger after […]

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Bailee Olson

September 20, 2024

Bailee teaches and models Yupik dance to youth and community members, leading performances at most community events. She fishes and preserves salmon in the summer, hunts moose and Spruce hens, and gathers plants and berries. Bailee shares her harvests generously with Elders, family, and the community. In 2023, she represented Bristol Bay at the Elders […]

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Annabella Frazier

Annabella leads as a committed community volunteer, promoting anti-bullying and supporting those in need. She actively participates in Sources of Strength, cross country, volleyball, and the BRAVE anti-bullying program. She promotes anti-bullying through presentations, book readings, and has sent over 65 packages with positive messages to all 50 states. Annabella organized and donated more than […]

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Sarah Kim

May 15, 2024

Sarah Kim is the founder and facilitator of Music for Hearts, an organization that brings musically devout teens together to play instruments and sing at senior care centers and facilities. She is first year member of the Youth Alliance for a Healthier Alaska, where she engages full-heartedly with kindness and compassion and everything that she […]

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Ben Kolendo

December 31, 2023

Ben is the Student Advisory Representative of the MatSu School District School Board. In this role, he is an outstanding example to his peers. In 2023, the Adult School Board acted to remove the student representatives ability to offer student input to the Board of Education. Despite this, Ben has continued to represent his fellow […]

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Keiren Fitka

December 26, 2023

Keiren has been working since age 14 and sought out opportunities to connect with his Yupik, Inupiaq, and Athabascan cultures. This includes being an Alaska Native Heritage Center intern, Raise Program intern, and Ilakucaraq program participant. In these settings, Keiren applies himself, builds bonds with other participants, and learns as much as he can. He […]

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Jamie Twitchell

Jamie is a stand-out alum of a year-long Ilakucaraq cohort, a program that brings together Alaska Native youth in 9-12th grades. This program is designed to form friendships, learn and share about Indigenous cultures, and build confidence in their cultural identities. Although Jamie would never call herself this, she is a great example of an […]

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Tristan Evanoff-Stickman

December 19, 2023

Tristan is a kind and insightful deep thinker. He connects with Elders and learns cultural practices while working at his family’s fish camp in Nondalton. Additionally, he has interned at a culture camp held on indigenous lands in partnership with Lake Clark National Park. He is stand-out alum of the year long Ilakucaraq cohort, a […]

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Lily Gosnell

December 18, 2023

Lily is a founding member of Ketchikan Youth for Change, a group of youth who are dedicated to substance misuse prevention. Additionally, she serves as the student body president and serves on the school board as the student member. She has volunteered on the Lords Table, a program serving home-cooked meals to community members experiencing […]

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Jayden Lampe

Jayden is the Parliamentarian for Barrow High School Student Council. She has been thee Youth Representative for the North Slope at the First Alaskans Elders and Youth Conference. Additionally, Jayden involves herself  heavily in the North Slope Borough Mayors Youth Advisory Council.  She also encourages her peers to do volunteer work and join community projects […]

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