Valley teens earn high marks

For the first time in the seven-year history of the Spirit of Youth awards, three Valley groups have been chosen as finalists.

Each year, the Spirit of Youth awards teens in 10 different categories. The organization is designed to help do away with the negative image of teens by bringing attention to the positive things they do. The categories range from "Overcoming Obstacles," to the arts.

Two teens -- Codie Walker and Brittany Heck -- were announced as finalists, and a group of four Palmer students -- Hal Willardson, Zach Cline, Calvin Kenley and Sam Gorman -- were also named as finalists.

"All of the Valley finalists are teens who are doing really positive things in the community," said Cher Easley, the executive director of the Spirit of Youth. "There are a lot of good teens out here."

Heck has organized bone marrow drives targeting minorities, because the demand far exceeds the donor list.

"There are only 188 Alaska Natives on the entire registry," Heck explained while organizing the first drive last year. "You have to match nine genetic markers to be a match, and with only 188 Natives on the list, it's hard to come up with a match, if not impossible."

Walker was nominated in the "overcoming obstacles" category, and for good reason, Easley said.

"Codie's story is an inspiration," Easley said. "She watched her younger siblings and helped take care of her mom in the toughest of times, when the family was living in campgrounds and in the woods. Now, she is going to school and working several jobs. She has really made great strides in turning her and her family's life around."

The four Palmer High School boys made their own CD under the guise of the "Alaska Mastas." On it, they rapped about growing up in Alaska, which isn't exactly the stereotype mainstream rap has developed. That's exactly why they did it, Easley said.

"They wanted to shatter some myths about rap music. They did a real good job," Easley said.

The Spirit of Youth awards will be given out on March 13 at the Fourth Avenue Theater.