Delegates Announced for Conference of Young Alaskans

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
11/15/05

University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton announced today the names of 55 young men and women who have been selected to serve as delegates to the Conference of Young Alaskans. In January, these emerging leaders will gather at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to discuss and make policy recommendations for Alaska’s future.

The Conference of Young Alaskans is one of a series of Creating Alaska events this winter commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Alaska’s Constitutional Convention and honoring the work of the convention’s 55 delegates. The conference website is coya.alaska.edu.

Delegates will address five key challenges facing Alaskans: providing quality education, developing healthy communities and families, creating leaders for the next generation, responsible development of natural resources, and reviving the Alaska dream and "Last Frontier" spirit. A nine-member steering committee for the conference chose the delegates, ages 16 to 25, from among 365 applicants.

"We are delighted that so many talented young leaders are passionate about Alaska’s future," said Ian-Michael Hebert, chair of the steering committee. "The committee was inspired by the caring these young leaders demonstrated for their communities. From among the many qualified applicants, we have selected a set of delegates that will bring perspectives from around the state."

There are 30 young women and 25 young men in the selected group. Twenty of the delegates attend colleges or universities, 16 are in high school and 19 of the delegates are in the workforce.

"This group of young men and women put themselves forward as willing to tackle some of Alaska’s toughest issues," Hamilton said. "I look forward to reviewing their recommendations and to working with them in the years ahead. It is clear to me that many of Alaska’s future political, business and civic leaders are today’s delegates to the Conference of Young Alaskans."

For more information, please call Patti Harper, (907) 786-1169; or Joe Hardenbrook, (907) 450-8599.
DELEGATE LIST TO FOLLOW.

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Delegates to the Conference of Young Alaskans

Samuel Abney Anchorage UAA
Te’Nesha Austin Anchorage UAA
Christy Bergman Wasilla Yaakoosge Daakahidi Alternative H.S. (Employer)
Hallie Bissett Palmer Anchorage Economic Development Corporation
Sarah Bussa Eielson AFB Ben Eielson H.S.
Jonathan Cason Anchorage West H.S.
Emily Chagluak Toksook Bay Nelson Island H.S.
Fawn Renee Chya Old Harbor Old Harbor H.S.
Michael Cipriano Juneau Altman Rogers CPA
Britt Constantine Juneau Alaska Conservation Alliance
Deantha Crockett Anchorage Resource Development Council
David Dunsmore Anchorage Lewis and Clark College
Mara Early Juneau UAS
Weston Eiler Juneau Willamette University
Brett Encelewski Kenai UAA/KPC
Sandon Fisher Juneau Home School
Daniel Gianotti Anchorage UAA
Jenna Gruenstein Anchorage Alaska State Legislature
Kristin Lee Hamerski Anchorage UAA
Lena Hensley Kotzebue Galena Interior Learning Academy
Kristine Hilderbrand Barrow UAA
Dewey Hoffman Ruby Dartmouth
Helena Hoffman Ruby First Alaskans Institute
Bryant Hopkins Fairbanks West Valley H.S.
Lucas Knowles Anchorage National Parks Conservation Association
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins Sitka Sitka H.S.
Tisha Kuhns Bethel Placer Dome US Inc.
Nicole Layral Fairbanks Web Weavers Technology Group
Kristal Leonard Wasilla Wasilla H.S.
Carlee Malemute Galena Galena City School District
Katerine Marquette Fairbanks Lathrop H.S.
Skye Rubadeau McRoberts Anchorage Self-Employed
Jay Miller Ketchikan MIT
Andy Moderow Anchorage National Park Service
Matt Moon Anchorage Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Jennifer Mooney Hydaburg Hydaburg Cooperative Association
Alex Nelson Juneau Juneau Douglas H.S.
Erik O’Brien Kodiak MIS & LOG
Daniel Pace Eagle River UAA
David J. Parks Palmer UAF
Matali Patil Fairbanks West Valley H.S.
Courtenay Elaine Peirce Dillingham UAA
Gavin Douglas Piercy Ketchikan UAF
Cathryn Posey Anchorage Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau
Galen Pospisil Anchorage West H.S.
Alex Richert Anchorage West H.S.
Lee Ryan Unalakleet Arctic Transportation Services
Deanna Strunk Quinhagak UAF
Jonathan Teeters Anchorage Alaska Conservation Foundation
Claire Thorington Homer Homer H.S.
Tonisha Wade Fairbanks Alaska Job Corps Center
Terin Aurora Rae Walton-Rantz Fairbanks UAF
Timea Webster Anchorage UAA
Rick Wysocki Koliganek Dillingham H.S.
Tiffany Zulkosky Bethel NW University

Ten alternate delegates were chosen to serve should any of the 55 delegates not be able to make the conference:

Ruby Bullchild Fairbanks Alyeska Central H.S.
Daniel Cory North Pole UAF
Rachel Cramer Palmer UAA
Robyn Gieringer Anchorage South Anchorage H.S.
Sara Johansen Fairbanks West Valley H.S.
Christopher Kolerok Anchorage UAA
Anson Moxness Anchorage West H.S.
Zach Olson Nome University of Idaho
Danny Powers Fairbanks West Valley H.S.
Jeremiah Stewart Wasilla Wasilla H.S.