YoungAlaskans.org

The steering committee for the 2012 Conference of Young Alaskans is composed of young leaders from around the state who have been selected by the Institute of the North based on their community service, prior COYA participation and statewide perspective.

Terin Porter (Fairbanks)

Steering Committee Chair; COYA I Delegate; COYA II Steering Committee

“I am truly thankful to have participated in the Conference of Young Alaskans as both a delegate and a steering committee member. Being selected as a delegate to the first COYA was a huge honor, and I learned a ton about Alaska and the history of our state constitution. I met amazing young leaders from across the state at the life-changing event, and I honestly believe my first COYA experience increased my dedication to Alaska, inspired me to help develop young leaders in our state, and enabled me to see that Alaskans who may be completely different truly can work together as a respectful state-wide community. As a steering committee member, I was both honored and faced with a huge responsibility. I am so glad that I accepted that challenge, as participating in a year-and-a-half long intensive planning process for two huge, state-wide events gave me more experience, knowledge, insight and networking than I could have imagined. Dedicated teamwork beyond obstacles, appreciation and commendation for each other’s hard work, excitement about the incredible young people who are committing to making a difference in Alaska and our world, personal and professional growth and skill development, inspiration for everyone involved in the process, a realization that young people are more engaged in current issues than many expect…these are some of the extraordinarily valuable elements of my COYA experience.”

Galen Pospisil (Anchorage)

Steering Committee Vice Chair; COYA I and II Delegate

Kristine Hilderbrand (Barrow)

Steering Committee Member; COYA I Delegate

Sophie Wiepking-Brown (Anchorage)

Steering Committee Member

Joseph Kelly (Thorne Bay)

Steering Committee Member, High School Leader

Joseph Kelly has lived in Thorne Bay, Alaska for six years. During his early education he suffered from verbal dyspraxia and a subsequent reading impairment. With an enormous amount of hard work he overcame his learning disability. Now he enjoys literature and is a proficient writer. Living in Thorne Bay has been a great experience that he will treasure for the rest of his life. He has become an efficient waterman on his skiff. He has trapped beaver, mink and marten. He enjoys all the fishing he does in Southeast Alaska. He enjoys hunting bear, deer, ducks and geese. He has had the unique and enriching experience of working for the Forest Service as a YCC crewmember and is part of the Thorne Bay volunteer Fire Department. Joseph’s father, James Kelly, is a great inspiration in his life.  His father has raised him as a single parent for most of his life. His father taught him to appreciate art, literature and film. He has been given the basic lessons on life from his father such as: live as an honest man, treat others as you would be treated, how to skin a buck, and that knowledge is key to success in this world. He plans to pursue excellence in higher education. Having just graduated from high school, he plans to go to Prince William Sound Community College and attain an Associate in Arts degree, followed by a degree in law.

Weston Eiler (Juneau)

Steering Committee Member; COYA I and II Delegate

Courtney Enright (Ketchikan)

Steering Committee Member, COYA II Delegate

“I was a delegate to the Conference of Young Alaskans in 2009. When chosen to participate, I had an idea of what I thought I was going to be a part of and I say honestly every assumption I had was wrong. Personally, I have never been so happy to be wrong about anything as I was about COYA. I had certainly never envisioned that this would be an entirely delegate-driven process, or perhaps more profoundly a civil process. To me, the most important part of COYA was that we, young adults from around the state, accomplished something that it seems leaders struggle with in Alaska and nationally. We discussed issues, we were passionate and enthusiastic, we had strong opinions and personal experiences to share and we did that, but we did all of that without being rude, without resorting to name calling and we never once brought up the words “Democrat” or “Republican”. That is not to say we didn’t disagree, but we did it with respect for one another and civility. To me the Conference of Young Alaskans was my first opportunity to interact with peers who were equally, if not more concerned for the future, and my first opportunity to have serious discussion about big issues in Alaska. COYA helped me to discover my identity as an Alaskan in the broader picture of the world and had a large impact on why I chose to stay in state for college, and eventually will choose Alaska as my home for my adult life. It reaffirmed to me that there are incredible opportunities and that in Alaska we can do things that anywhere else would be impossible.”

Dani Carlson (Anchorage)

Steering Committee Member; COYA II Delegate

Ottar Mobley (Thorne Bay)

Steering Committee Member; COYA II Delegate

“I consider myself truly fortunate to have been selected as a delegate to the 2009 Conference of Young Alaskans. During my experience as a delegate I developed lasting relationships with other talented young people from across the State, all dedicated to seeing Alaska flourish. Participating in such a rich event allowed me to develop new understandings of what it means to be a young leader in Alaska. Armed with newfound knowledge, and bolstered by the support from other COYA delegates and steering committee members, I struck out to better our great state by running for public office. To now be a member of the steering committee for the 2012 COYA is an opportunity to help select the next wave of young Alaskan delegates, and to help chart the course of what is sure to be an excellent conference.”

Theresa Woldstad (North Pole)

Steering Committee Member; COYA II Delegate