Tickets for the 12th Annual Spirit of Youth Awards Dinner are on sale now at Spiritofyouth.org The event will take place at the Anchorage Hilton March 20, 2010.

Please join us in celebrating the following Alaska youth:

Science and Environment

Zoe Fuller (Palmer) Zoë co-founded the Mat-Su Valley chapter for the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, spearheading the “R3: ReThink Plastics” campaign. As chair of the Palmer chapter of AYEA, she led a campaign planning process for "Sustainable Schools."

Ecological (Homer) "Ecological" is five Homer teens, who want to reduce landfill trash. At their school, they have eliminated the use of styrofoam trays and added a recycling program. They also encouraged the city of Homer to add tin recycling.

Media and Technology

Unalaska 2nd Hour ESL Class (Unalaska) This group of ten English-as-a-Second-Language students moved to the United States within the last 3 years. They designed a monthly radio show to interview Alaskans about their outdoor experiences.

Ruth Yang and Maisee Xiong (Anchorage) Ruth and Maisee took part in the Write-Direct-and-Produce-Your-Own-Radio-Play contest in Anchorage. They won first-place for their entry, "A Magical Soul Tale."

Service to Community

Kelsey Fall (Anchorage) She co-funded and co-organized, for six years, the only marching band in Anchorage. The award-winning group brings together youth around the city for an enjoyable, no-cost activity. She has also organized events to raise over $10,000 for her school and community.

ACTION (Nome) ACTION members volunteer their time and effort to make Nome a better place. This group of 16 youth coordinates various events, which have included “Fun Day” for elementary students, safe and drug-free Halloween events, trash clean up, food drives and volunteering to spend time with elders.

Lifesaver and Prevention

Joe Verhagen (Nenana) Joe volunteered to make a cabin blueprint for a small sober house in Nenana. He organized its construction with volunteers and now the cabin will aid chronic alcoholics.

Agnes Nicoli (Aniak) Agnes is the senior/veteran Dragonslayer for the Aniak Volunteer Fire Department. She is a teacher, leader and role model in the community. When the fire chief passed away, Agnes stepped up as leader of the Dragonslayers.

Business and Government

Oceana Wills (Homer) Oceana is a leader in the Homer chapter for the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action. She worked with other HAYEA members to convince the City of Homer to support renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Homer Comprehensive Plan.

Brevig Mission Bike Shop (Brevig Mission) The Bike Shop in Brevig Mission repairs bicycles for younger children. This year, a team of 8 to 10th graders wrote their own grant for bike parts, got the grant, placed the order, interviewed and hired other students to work the shop etc.

Fine Arts
The Asteroids (Anchorage) The Asteroids is a band from Anchorage that has been entertaining the community since 2002. They call their music swingy jazz and often volunteer to play at fundraisers and community events for free.

Eric Giliam (Anchorage) Eric is an Alaska Magic Kid who has gone beyond the bounds of magic books to create his own signature, award-winning acts. He also mentors younger Alaska Magic Kids and entertains at community events.

Cultural Activities

Sara Yoon (Anchorage) Sara performs and teaches young children Korean Cultural dances. She has improved the quality of life in the community by raising money for children's health institutes.

Charlene Lauth (Ketchikan) Charlene is a strong advocate for Tlingit culture and language preservation. She is a strong, young native woman who embodies the values of her cultural heritage as she takes college-level cultural classes.

Faith Based

First United Methodist Church Group (Fairbanks) Through a work camp project, the youth group installed a wheelchair ramp on a home for an elderly couple. It is expensive to do these types of projects so each member of the youth group contributes funds.

Jamie Walker (Fairbanks) Jamie teaches a Junior Youth Group, which focuses on moral understanding and empowerment through service. The curriculum is faith-based but open to all children and junior youth.

Overcoming Challenges

Ruth Elyse Lynn (Healy) Elyse overcomes the challenges that come with having Asperger's Syndrome. She is a talented musician and public speaker, often presenting on Autism.

Facing Foster Care in Alaska (FFCA) is a group of current foster youth and alumni that formed to make improvements. This year they launched the FosterWear campaign, hosted a legislative summit and created a mentorship program.

Service to Youth

Virginia Richards (Kenai) To combat youth obesity and diabetes, Gina created a Task Force on Nutrition. The group succeeded in obtaining a short-term trail of food options in one school.

Lea Swaim (Eagle River) Lea volunteered at the Eagle River Boys & Girls Club to organize and maintain the summer field trip program so all of the younger members and her peers could have equal opportunities to attend fun outdoor activities.

For more information or to order tickets by phone call 907-272-2875 or e-mail info@spiritofyouth.org