Spirit of Youth

Creating, promoting and recognizing youth involvement in communities across Alaska. Email the blog at info@spiritofyouth.org.

Dancing for a cause - 5/15/2012 2:45 pm

Kodiak Island Students Contribute to NYO Games - 5/10/2012 4:11 pm

Teen DJ in Nome doubles as an advocate - 4/26/2012 2:11 pm

Looking for Local Music? Check out These Teens - 4/18/2012 3:38 pm

Announcing the 2012 Spirit of Youth Award Winners - 3/5/2012 10:32 am

Sisters perform Faith-Based Service in Anchorage - 11/21/2011 11:07 am

Alaska's first Youth National Poetry Slam Team Takes the Stage - 11/14/2011 10:20 am

The East High Solar Club Builds Solar Suitcases from Scratch - 11/11/2011 11:43 am

Dancing for a cause

The Service High School B-Boys are a group of talented teenagers that break dance for pure enjoyment. They recently came together to use their talents to raise money for their friends battling cancer.

Check out their website: http://www.servicebboys.org/ServiceBBoys.org/Welcome.html

Listen to the story here:

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Kodiak Island Students Contribute to NYO Games

Although there were no student athletes from Kodiak Island Villages participating at the NYO games this past month, the Island still had important teen representatives here in Anchorage. A small group of dedicated teens called Students at Kodiak Island Learning to Lead (SKILL) took on the challenge of broadcasting the games to villages across the state.

Shana Sheehy has more on the story

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Teen DJ in Nome doubles as an advocate

Tuesona Tungwenuk takes time out of her busy post-high school life to volunteer at KNOM Radio. Each week Tuesona graces the airwaves across Western Alaska and provides amusing commentary and entertaining DJ-ing for listeners. Tuesona's spirit and passion for life shines through each time she is on the air. Over time, Tuesona has become a mainstay on the airwaves and, based on word of mouth, her show is one of the most popular on KNOM.

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Looking for Local Music? Check out These Teens

Between the RiversBetween the RiversBetween the Rivers is an acoustic rock duo from Eagle River who spends their free time practicing and playing gigs in the community. Shana Sheehy caught up with them for an interview after one of thier performances.

Listen to the story here

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Announcing the 2012 Spirit of Youth Award Winners

2012 Award Winners Map2012 Award Winners MapTwenty-two teens and youth groups from around the state will be recognized at the 14th annual Spirit of Youth Awards Banquet. This year's Spirit of Youth award recipients come from 16 communities across Alaska and are being recognized for everything from acting to performing CPR to speaking out against domestic violence.

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Sisters perform Faith-Based Service in Anchorage

Michaela and Olivia Brown take the lead in serving meals to volunteers at the Changepoint church.

Spirit of Youth's Shana Sheehy has more on the story.

Listen to the story here

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Alaska's first Youth National Poetry Slam Team Takes the Stage

Spirit of Youth's Shana Sheehy meets up with Brave New Alaskan Voices to find out more about Southcentral's teen poetry slam team.

Listen to the story here

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The East High Solar Club Builds Solar Suitcases from Scratch

The suitcases will be taken by the Alaska Sudan Medical Project to Africa where they will be put to good use. Spirit of Youth's Shana Sheehy has more on the story below

East High Solar Club

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UAA student leads first responder group

Harlyn at a swift water rescue trainingHarlyn at a swift water rescue training
Harlyn Noel Andrews, 18, is an activist for healthy Alaska Native Communities. Harlyn is committed to providing training to young people in her community to learn outdoor survival skills such as swift water rescue and emergency preparedness involving both health and law enforcement emergencies.

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Rose Urban Rural Exchange (RURE) teens use photography to connect culturally

This group of West High urban student photographers traveled to Brevig Mission to connect with new friends in rural Alaska and take photos of the environment. In exchange, they helped their counterparts take photos when they visited Anchorage. Spirit of Youth's Shana Sheehy reports.

West High Photo Exchangers

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Teen space at the Anchorage Public Library!

This past summer the Anchorage Public Library opened up the Teen Underground, a space for teens ages 12-18 to study, collaborate, research and interact.

Here, Spirit of Youth's Shana Sheehy interviews Spencer Mitton, the youth who designed the Teen Underground logo.

Spencer Mitton

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Takotna teen moves to Fairbanks to accomplish her goals

Laura Fox is another outstanding teen from Takotna, Alaska. She is part of ongoing efforts that are to better her community. Laura's personal goal is to become a lawyer and more specifically to be instrumental in Alaska Native issues. She is currently attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks and working for the Tanana Chiefs Conference.

Here is Shana Sheehy's radio interview with Laura.

Laura Fox

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Alaskan teen leads the family bluegrass band, Sarahndipity

From Girdwood, Alaska, thirteen-year-old Sarah Bartholomew and her family members Ian Wahl, Matt Faubion and Steve Bartholomew make up the band Sarahndipity. Sarah is a dedicated musician who enjoys playing, performing, and even composing some of the pieces that the band has played together. The band Sarahndipity has done many gigs such as playing at the Stizmark Bar and Grill, Forest Fair, Blueberry Festival, and the Anchorage Folk Fest.

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Wasilla teen donates $1,300 to the SeaLife Center

Twelve-year-old Keefer Brown from Wasilla, Alaska recently raised $1,300 which he donated to the Alaska SeaLife Center. He designed and sold candles which he decorated with shells and seaweed he found on the beaches of Seldovia. Brown sold the items around Seldovia and far surpassed his initial goal of $50 by not only convincing people to buy candles but to donate to marine research and education.
Keefer Brown, his parents, and the SeaLife staffKeefer Brown, his parents, and the SeaLife staff

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Alaska Pacific University Scholarships for Alaska students!!

APU Scholarships for Alaska Students: Alaska Pacific University has some great scholarship opportunities for Alaska High School graduates.  The attachment details scholarship opportunities that are available to ALL Alaska High School graduates who meet APU's minimum admission requirements.APU Scholarships for Alaska Students: Alaska Pacific University has some great scholarship opportunities for Alaska High School graduates. The attachment details scholarship opportunities that are available to ALL Alaska High School graduates who meet APU's minimum admission requirements.

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Summer Job Opportunity!!

The Pacific Alaska Region of the National Archives and Records Administration - is now accepting applications for full-time Student Temporary Employment Program positions. The position is temporary, for summer 2010, with the possibility of extension provided student appointee continues to meet the qualifications of the position as identified below. Work hours are up to 40 hours per week. LOCATION: NARA-Pacific Alaska Region, 654 West Third Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99501-2145 HOURS OF OPERATION: 7:30 a.m.

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Change the future. One talk at a time!

How can the State of Alaska help youth?! Join the discussion tomorrow at the Frontier Building (3601 C Street 3rd Floor). There will be a conversation about teen pregnancy and access to health care services. Every teen age 14 to 18 who attends will get a $20 gift card and free food!

The talk takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. Information shared will help the State of Alaska Adolescent Health Program provide better services to teens!

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We all scream for ice cream! Today!

Help Alaska Softball fight the battle against cancer! Go to one of three participating Cold Stone Creameries between 4:00 and 7:00 TODAY and they will donate 15% of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society! You must present the flyer attached below at the time of purchase. Help Relay for Life and Alaska Softball cream cancer!!

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Lead On! Mini Summit 2010

It's Back!! Lead On! For Peace and Equality in Alaska is a two and a half day mini-summit for 13-18 year old inspired leaders. Teens from around the state will gather in Anchorage Oct 9-11th 2010. This is a great opportunity for Alaskan teens to meet with artists, musicians, and nationally recognized social justice leaders to solve the puzzle of peace and equality in our state. Applications are due June 1st, 2010 and teen leaders are encouraged to apply! For more info or an application contact Kami Moore kmoore@andvsa.org or (907)586-6566 or check the website!

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AkTAI youth logo contest

The AkTAI (Alaska Tobacco Advocacy Initiative) Logo Contest is going on right now. All entries are due to no later than midnight April 1, no joke! The winner will be announced April 15. Attached is additional information about the contest, but feel free to contact Jennifer Adzima at the American Lung Association in Alaska if you have any questions, jadzima@aklung.org.

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