About the Program
Summer of Heroes is a partnership program between Alaska Communications and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska, promoting education, awareness, and support for youth development programs throughout the state. Running from May through September 2025, Summer of Heroes includes two main components - a youth recognition and scholarship award, and a cause-related sales promotion.
During the Summer of Heroes, Communications accepted nominations from across the state for youth who are doing good in their local communities, and donated a portion of proceeds from every new Home Internet or Business Internet subscription.
Meet the 2025 Hero Honorees
This summer, Alaska Communications received dozens of nominations for outstanding youth that are making a difference in their local communities. A committee had the difficult task of narrowing that down to five heroes from the community at large and one hero from the Alaska Communications’ Employee Program. Each winner received a $2,000 scholarship and recognition in his or her community.
The 2025 youth heroes are Ella Boerger of Anchorage, Grace Kahn and Xiling Tanner of Kenai, Shelby Rider of North Pole, Lola Swanson of Seward and Makai Warren-Dowl of Chugiak.
Youth Recognition Program
Studies show that youth who are engaged in community service tend to do better in school, avoid risky behaviors, and maintain positive relationships with adults and peers.
As part of the Summer of Heroes, Alaska Communications works with Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska to recognize five outstanding young heroes, plus two heroes from the Employee Program, who are making a difference in their local communities. Based on their nomination forms and short answer responses, selected heroes receive a $2,000 scholarship and special recognition in their local community.
Making a Difference $30,000 Donation
Through a special challenge by Alaska Communications President and CEO Paul Fenaroli, employees and the company collectively donated an additional $15,000.
Alaska Communications recognizes that youth education and development programs, such as the programs provided by Boys & Girls Clubs, are critical to helping children succeed in life.
In 2025, Alaska Communications and employees donated a combined $30,000 to help support Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska’s programs and expand the organization’s capacity to positively impact the lives of young people in Alaska.
The Story of Our 2025 Logo
Each year, the Summer of Heroes program selects a youth hero from the previous year and uses that inspiration for the current year’s logo. This year, being the 15th year of the program, we are featuring seven logos, each representing last year’s youth heroes!
Learn more about the 2025 heroes’ efforts to make their communities better.
What defines a hero? Help Find Heroes
The nomination window for the Summer of Heroes program is open. Nominate a youth now!
A hero can be any Alaska resident between the ages of 6 and 18 who is making a positive difference in their community. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following types of efforts:
- volunteering or raising funds for a cause,
- making a difference in school through education or sports,
- making a significant contribution to his or her community,
- considering others’ needs before their own, or
- inspiring others to take action.
We want to hear about young people who have made their Alaska community better.
What are the criteria for nominating a youth for the Summer of Heroes program?
Any Alaska youth between the ages of 6-18 can self-nominate or be nominated by someone they know. The winners will not be selected based on school grades, but rather the positive impact the youth makes on the community and those around them. The nominator could be a parent, guardian, sibling, teacher, coach, mentor, friend or anyone who has a relationship with the child and believes he or she should be recognized as a local hero.
How and when will the heroes be recognized?
Alaska Communications and Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska will select five outstanding youth heroes based on their nomination forms and short answer questions. A sixth hero will be selected as part of the Alaska Communications Employee program. The heroes will receive:
- a $2,000 scholarship through Alaska 529, and
- special recognition in his or her local community
The Alaska 529 Education Savings Plan scholarship can be used at nearly any accredited college, university, trade or technical postsecondary institution in the country.
Read the frequently asked questions
Be Involved Contact Us
To stay up-to-date with the Summer of Heroes program, connect with Alaska Communications on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.
For questions on the Summer of Heroes program, please contact:
Heather Marron
Manager, Corporate Communications
Alaska Communications
Heather.Marron@acsalaska.com
(907) 564-1326
For questions on Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska, please contact:
Jaycee Vincent
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska
info@bgcalaska.org
(907)-249-5400
