Young People of Achievement Award nomination period open

YWCA Alaska asks for nominations for their 17 annual Young People of Achievement Awards, which seeks to honor Alaskan youth.

This award is open to youth ages 16-18 who have overcome major challenges in their lives and have made efforts toward fulfilling the mission of YWCA Alaska: eliminating racism and empowering women while promoting dignity, peace, freedom and justice for all.

“Over the last 17 years, each YWCA Alaska Young Person of Achievement has shared such an inspiring story. The thing about Alaska is that we have many amazing youth who have similar stories. Whether an immigrant, a single mother, a refugee, someone who has faced bullying or peer pressure, grown up in the system, these youth grow and overcome these adversities, all while taking AP classes, leading clubs, winning sports championships, joining the honor society and applying to be the first in their family to go to college. There are many youth in this state who especially deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and that is exactly what we do at Young People of Achievement Awards,” said YWCA Alaska Youth Empowerment Coordinator, Joanna Schultz.

Ten honorees will receive a cash award as well as statewide recognition. This year’s event will be on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the BP Energy Center.

Applications can be found online at http://ywcaak.org/youth-empowerment/ypoa/ or by calling (907) 644-9600.

Application deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016.

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