Delegates Announced for Conference of Young Alaskans

By: University of Alaska Staff  Nov 15, 2005

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 schooland 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 inthe 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.

Delegates to the Conference of Young Alaskans    

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