Young Leaders Make Lasting Impact: Seven Youth Named 2026 Heroes

Alaska Communications celebrates Alaskans who are improving lives through service, leadership and compassion

July 27, 2026, Anchorage, Alaska — From preserving Alaska Native traditions and advocating for military families to inspiring youth philanthropy and serving elders, seven young Alaskans are proving that leadership begins with service to others.

Through its Summer of Heroes program, Alaska Communications is recognizing seven outstanding youth whose volunteerism and leadership are making communities stronger across Alaska. Each recipient will receive a $2,000 scholarship in recognition of their commitment to serving others.

This year’s Summer of Heroes recipients are:

• Adam Kaufman, 16, Anchorage
• Liam Cuddy, 15, Anchorage
• Alexander Olson, 18, Nenana
• Annabelle Slinker, 15, Anchorage
• Grace Morton, 13, Anchorage
• Savannah Overbay, 17, Minto
• Tessa Davis, 17, Kodiak

The recipients were selected from 59 nominations submitted from communities across Alaska. This year’s nominations reflected the growing reach of the program, with youth recognized for addressing community needs through volunteerism, advocacy, mentorship, philanthropy and leadership.

“These remarkable young people remind us that leadership isn’t measured by age. It’s measured by action,” said Paul Fenaroli, president and CEO of Alaska Communications. “Across Alaska, youth are stepping forward to solve problems, strengthen their communities and inspire those around them. We’re honored to celebrate their achievements and invest in the incredible potential they represent.”

As part of its commitment to supporting Alaska’s next generation of leaders, Alaska Communications will also donate $15,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, the nonprofit partner for the Summer of Heroes program. The contribution will help expand mentoring opportunities that empower young people to reach their full potential.

“Every one of these young people demonstrates what can happen when a caring community believes in its youth,” said Jill Richardson, chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska. “Their stories are inspiring because they show that leadership comes in many forms. Whether it’s mentoring others, advocating for change or quietly serving behind the scenes, they’re making Alaska a better place. We’re thrilled to celebrate them and grateful to Alaska Communications for investing in young people across our state.”

Now in its 16th year, Summer of Heroes celebrates Alaska youth ages 6 to 18 who make a positive difference in their communities through volunteer service, leadership and acts of kindness. Since the program began, the initiative has recognized nearly 100 young Alaskans from communities across the state while providing scholarships that help recipients pursue their future goals.

Read about this year’s Summer of Heroes winners at https://www.alaskacommunications.com/About/Heroes.

About Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications, an affiliate of ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATNI), is a leading provider of mission and life-critical communications infrastructure in Alaska. The company operates a robust statewide fiber network and a highly diverse undersea fiber optic system connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States. Learn more at www.AlaskaCommunications.com.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of young people. By matching caring adult mentors with youth across Alaska, the organization helps children build confidence, achieve educational success and realize their full potential.