Written by Adele Thomas, BEAM youth mentee
On April 11–12, youth from around Alaska gathered in Anchorage at the Wildbirch Hotel for the BEAM Youth Summit, which stands for Belonging, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Mentorship. Over two days, youth had the opportunity to connect with one another, learn new skills, and meet people from across the state. The summit created a space where youth could be themselves, share ideas, and feel supported by their peers and community.
One of the first moments that stood out was the opening session, which featured Ouzinkie’s Alutiiq Dance Group. Starting the summit with cultural dancing helped ground everyone and set a respectful, welcoming tone that showed this space truly honored culture and community.
The summit included Alaska Youth Voices for Health (AYVH) mentees, youth from across the state, and supportive adults such as parents, guardians, and community members. Presenters came from organizations including the Alaska Theatre of Youth, the American Lung Association, and Alaska Youth for Environmental Action. Youth advocate and motivational speaker Preston Pollard delivered the keynote, My Breath is My Miracle, which focused on personal growth and making intentional choices. Throughout the weekend, youth participated in creative activities, group discussions, and leadership sessions that encouraged them to speak up, participate, and try new things instead of just listening in the background.
Many youth arrived feeling overwhelmed, nervous, or unsure, but left feeling more confident, capable, and heard. One youth said the summit helped them realize “that our voices matter” and that youth “can make changes just like adults.” Another quote that stuck with several participants was, “Choose who you want to be, not what you want to do.” Youth reflected that this reminder helped them focus on becoming strong and caring people, not just stressing about careers or the future.
Youth also talked about how friendships influence their choices and confidence. A quote shared during interviews, “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future,” made many participants think more carefully about who they surround themselves with and how they treat others. This also opened conversations about how youth can influence peers around things like substance and nicotine use.
Creative sessions like improv and reflection activities helped youth open up, laugh together, and talk about topics usually left to adults. These sessions created space for laughter, honesty, and conversations youth don’t always get to have. As one youth shared during interviews, “This connected to youth advocacy because it helped show youth that their voice matters. It helped make youth feel more comfortable talking about different topics typically meant for adults.”
Other sessions helped youth understand their leadership power, learn how change happens through systems and policies, and practice advocacy through hands-on activities like role‑playing community meetings. A relaxed conversation session with adults about careers and life paths helped youth learn that it’s okay not to have everything figured out yet.
Overall, the summit helped youth see that their actions and voices already shape their communities. Youth leadership matters, especially when it comes to mental health, confidence, and belonging. When youth are supported, families, schools, and communities grow stronger. As one youth shared, “We are the next generation — we have to help shape the world.”
At the BEAM Summit, my favorite experience was…
“My favorite experience was when I got to see the Aleut dances at the opening session.”
“My favorite memory from the summit was meeting everyone, because it meant widening my horizons and advancing as a person and a community.”
“My favorite experience was the ‘glow‑giving,’ or sharing our appreciation for each other that we did on the last day.”
Looking ahead, youth hope the BEAM Summit continues and grows, with more youth involved, more time to plan together, and more opportunities for youth and adults to work side by side. After the summit, youth plan to bring what they learned back to their communities by speaking up, supporting peers, and staying engaged in youth‑led activities across Alaska.
At the BEAM Summit, I learned…
“I learned that I can be confident when I don’t think I can, and it was important for me to be there because I wouldn’t have made so many friends otherwise.”
“I learned that our voices matter.”
“Youth can make changes just like adults.”
“Choose who you want to be, not what you want to do.”
“Show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.”
“That I can be the change in my community.”
“We are the next generation, we have to help shape the world.”
“As a teenager, you don’t need to have everything figured out. Just enjoy being a kid and do what you love.”
Youth Leadership Matters, because…
“Youth leadership matters because it gives kids the opportunity to be role models for their peers. It helps us set new, healthy, and meaningful trends for people our age. Without youth leadership, there wouldn’t be anyone speaking up and advocating for kids and teens. Supporting youth benefits everything, schools, jobs, and communities. When youth are supported, we have a better chance to change our behaviors and succeed in the future.”
“We are the next generation; we have to help shape the world.”
“Youth leadership matters because it’s important for kids to know they have a voice, that they are part of their community, and that their opinions matter. Youth benefit the most when they are supported, whether that support comes from their peers or the adults in their lives.”