YoungAlaskans.org

Three teen reporters attended the Forum of Young Alaskans in Anchorage for the Alaska Teen Media Institute to find out what issues weighed strongly with Alaska youth and visions they have for the state’s future. Listen to their report at http://www.alaskateenmedia.org/08.10.ION.php.

Who knew that a car dealer and mattress salesman were interested in Alaska’s future leaders and the Forum of Young Alaskans?  Lo and behold, the video “Cal for Alaskan Youth Forum” proves that businesses in Alaska are supportive of the youth. See it for yourself.  Breena Walters introduces us to Cal Worthington of Cal Worthington Ford and through her efforts she won a full semesters tuition waiver to the University of Alaska Fairbanks.  Congradulations Breena!

The Forum of Young Alaskans on October 4th drew in nearly two hundred young Alaskans from 11 communities across the state. We’ll post photos sent in from Forum sites across the state soon. Participants discussed what it means to be an Alaskan, how Alaska has changed in their lifetime, and where they want to see the state go from this point forward.  These discussions will continue within communities and online, as well as at the Conference of Young Alaskans 2009 in Girdwood January 4-6.  View the live discussion map to track young Alaskan’s thoughts and ideas by community. To see a word-picture created from each discussion, check out our Wordles. To read more of the day’s conversation, check out the online discussion (discussion closed) area, and most important of all, encourage young Alaskans 16 to25 that you know to apply to COYA 2009 [Update: Applications Closed].

Two teen reporters will attend the Forum of Young Alaskans in Anchorage and produce a radio story about it to air on their radio show “In Other News” on KNBA 90.3 FM and on the statewide radio program “AK.”  For more information on the Alaska Teen Media Institute, contact Rosey Robards at (907) 272-2864.

Young Alaskans in Kodiak can go to the schoold district conference room in the borough building on Saturday to participate in the Forum of Young Alaskans. Kodiak is our tenth and final site. If you will be participating from Kodiak, please Register Here and Introduce Yourself. If you’re reading this on Saturday, of course you can just show up.

For more information on events in Kodiak or to volunteer, contact Balika Haakanson at 486-5040 or bhaakanson01 (at) bethel.uaf.edu

This just in: UAS Sitka will host a Forum site on October 4! If you will be 16 to 25 in January and are interested in attending the Sitka forum you can Register Here and Introduce Yourself. Tell us what’s on young Alaskans’ minds in Sitka. Registering will help organizers know how many people to expect, but if you’re reading this late, you can still just show up. More location information coming soon. In the meantime, for more Sitka site info or to volunteer, contact Louise Driver at 907-747-7705 or louise.driver (at) uas.alaska.edu.

Young Alaskans 16-25 in Nome will meet at UAF’s Northwest Campus at 400 East Front Street. If you are interested in attending the Nome event, Register Now to let organizers know you hope to attend.

The site is being organized by Barb Oleson and Kendra Nichols. If you have questions about the Forum or would like to help, contact Barb at nnbao (at) uaf.edu or 907-443-5891. And if you are reading this close to the day of the Forum, we still hope you’ll register and Introduce Yourself and tell us what young people in Nome are talking about. But you can also just show up and participate! See you in Nome Oct. 4!

On October 4, young Alaskans ages 16-25 in the Homer area will meet at Kachemak Bay Campus EAST. If you are interested in attending the Homer Forum, Register Now to let organizers know you hope to attend.

The site is being organized by Cindy Pelaia, KBC Student Association Advisor. If you have questions about the Forum or would like to help, contact Cindy at incqp (at) uaa.alaska.edu or 907-235-1601. And if you are reading this close to the day of the Forum, we still hope you’ll register and Introduce Yourself and tell us what young people in Homer are talking about. But you can also just show up and participate! See you in Homer on Oct. 4!

The latest news on the local Forum front is that Bethel and Valdez will also host Forums of Young Alaskans on October 4. The Bethel Forum will be held in Room 118 at the UAF Kuskokwim Campus. Young Alaskans in Valdez will meet in the Student Commons of the Prince William Sound Community College at 303 Lowe Street.

Rumors are that Kodiak, Kotzebue, Homer, Nome and Sitka are in the works. Stay tuned for details. If you would like to host a Forum in your community, it’s not too late. See the post below on Local Forums or go straight to the Organizing a Forum in your Community page for step-by-step instructions you can download.