Mat-Su Career Tech grad honored for volunteerism

WASILLA — Mat-Su Thrive, a community coalition dedicated to preventing and reducing underage substance use, recently honored Mat-Su Career Tech class of 2020 graduate Rachael Hartman for her various contributions to the community through volunteerism.

“I didn’t volunteer to be recognized for anything but it was really nice to get that recognition,” Hartman said.

United Way of Mat-Su has overseen the Thrive program since 2007.

Each year, they honor students grades 6 to 12 for their philanthropic efforts within the school or out in the public.

Hartman won the high school division, getting recognition for the countless hours she invested in the Alaska Youth for Environmental Action, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the public library, and Mat-Su Youth Court. She received a $250 cash reward.

“I’m just thrilled. Rachel embodies just the spirit and the essence of not only giving back, but identifying things that you care about and that you’re passionate about, and ways that you can make difference,” United Way of Mat-Su Executive Director Stephanie Allen said.

Hartman devoted an estimated 250 hours to the youth court, according to a recent press release.

MSYC director Krista Maciolek indicated that those hours alone places Hartman among the top volunteers in the program’s 23-year history in her nomination letter.

“Rachel’s commitment to Mat-Su Youth Court has been invaluable. The community is well-served by the program and the program has been well-served by Rachel,” Maciolek stated in the press release.

Hartman has been involved with the Mat-Su Youth Court for the past five years. She was the president last year and she’s served numerous roles in the past. She said it feels good to be a part of process and to help her peers get second chances.

“It’s actually where I made most of my friends,” Hartman said.

Hartman also served as president of the MSYC Student Bar Association and as secretary of the statewide organization of youth courts, United Youth Courts of Alaska. She said that she really enjoys studying law and plans to become a lawyer after studying at Cornell University.

“Whenever I’m presented with an opportunity and I have the time to do it, I try to it as much as possible,” Hartman said.

Before college, Hartman plans to take a year break acclimating to the legal field with a new position that she secured at Denali Law Group.

“I think it will make me more independent,” Hartman said.

United Way of Mat-Su encourages anyone who knows of a Valley teen who is making a difference in the community to email details and a photo to impact@unitedwaymatsu.org for a spotlight in Thrive’s monthly newsletter and social media platforms.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com