Media

March 3, 2022

Twenty-seven Alaskan students in grades 8-12 from rural and urban Alaska have been selected for the 25th annual Alaska Points of Light Youth Leadership Institute beginning on Monday, March 7 and ending Friday , March 11. These young leaders from South Central and the North Slope Borough in Alaska will develop their community leadership skills through social and service learning activities in the 40 hour training program in order to provide high quality service projects to improve the quality of life in the community. In attending Alaska PYLI, they are improving Alaska by building a better community and joining students in service to America engaging America's students in a lifelong habit of service. They are taking the first step to "becoming a point of light" in their school and community. This year's PYLI will honor the legacy of Gen. Colin Powell.

Alaska PYLI begins each morning at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Anchorage Corps Community Center at 1700 C Street. For more information go to www.alaskapyli.org.

March 7-11, 2022 Alaska PYLI Class of 2022

1. Eryn Agnasagga, Alak High School - Wainwright, North Slope Borough

2. Viktoria Antonchuk, Bette Davis East Anchorage High School

3. Ronald Bares, West Anchorage High School

4. Marlene Cerna, West Anchorage High School

5. Charlotte Cruickshank, Dimond High School

6. Yerlyn Dominguez, West Anchorage High School

7. Kassandra Eunice Doroteo, Dimond High School

8. Dalmira Garcia, Service High School

9. Elwin Hernandez, West Anchorage High School

10. Jenna Hopson, Barrow High School - Utqiagvik, North Slope Borough

11. Caleb Infanzon West, Anchorage High School

12. Jayden Lampe, Barrow High School - Utqiagvik, North Slope Borough

13. Jamie Ellen Lum, Barrow High School - Utqiagvik, North Slope Borough

14. Daniel Morry, Nunamiut School - Anaktuvuk Pass, North Slope Borough

15. Niki Moua, Bartlett High School

16. Gabriel O’Donnell, Owego Free Academy - Owego, New York

17. Sullivan O’Donnell, Owego Free Academy - Owego, New York

18. Trinity Olson, Barrow High School - Utquiagvik, North Slope Borough

19. Jeslyn Oviok, Bette Davis, East Anchorage High School

20. Xander Pete, Houston Junior High School - Wasilla

21. Cindy Sanchez, West Anchorage High School

22. Migelangel Sanchez, West Anchorage High School

23. Shelley Simmonds-Rexford, Barrow High School - Utquiagvik, North Slope Borough

24. Graham Strolin, Owego Free Academy - Owego, NY

25. Ibeth Torres, South Anchorage High School

26. Ireneline Uhrle, Bartlett High School

27. Mahalia Emberlynn Uhrle, Bartlett High School

September 9, 2021 | By Natalie Clendenin

The Salvation Army Anchorage Corps was pleased to host the return of Alaska Points of Light Youth Leadership institute in early August after four years at other locations. This was the eighth event at our location in the 24 year history of the Alaska PYLI. Alaska Corps Officer, Major Paul Chouinard, organized a service project for the students in which they helped to prepare and distribute 50 food bags to food insecure families.

The group consisted of eight Anchorage School District students, which attended a five day training lead by Alaska PYLI Coordinator, Beau Bassett. Throughout their week, the group was presented to and mentored by teachers and community leaders and worked to identify personal, school, community and family goals for the future.

As a class, they are planning to conduct a community vigil at Delaney Park from noon until 2:00pm, surrounding the 20th anniversary of 9/11. They will be distributing "we care bags" to police and firefighters and collecting canned food for The Salvation Army Emergency Food Bank.

PYLI emphasizes the importance of diversity in grade, gender, race, culture, and social economic background, and offers students the ability to learn how to improve their motivation and performance in striving toward their personal goals for the future.