ABOUT US | AFTERSCHOOL SUPERHEROES & CHAMPIONS
Afterschool Superheroes
& Champions
Afterschool programs can’t do it alone! Learn about the individuals creating lasting change for youth across the region with their dedication, innovation, and leadership.
Alaska Afterschool Champion
The Alaska Afterschool Champion Award recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure access to high-quality afterschool programing. This individual exemplifies extraordinary dedication to our field and was selected by the Alaska Out-of-School Time Conference Planning Committee.
2023 Alaska Afterschool Champion: Julie Wild Curry
Julie started her work in Skagway, Alaska as the Community Education director in 1982. Community education included running after school and summer education programs that were supported by a State a Community School grant. In 1987, Julie and her husband moved to Fairbanks, Alaska with their family and Julie began volunteering at the Resource Center for Parents and Children on the Parent Warm Line, answering parent calls, and supporting the mission of child abuse prevention.
Soon after her youngest child turned three, Julie was hired to work part time doing community outreach and home visits eventually becoming full time through 1999. Julie also started volunteering in schools at the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District.
Alaska Afterschool Superheroes
The Afterschool Superheroes Award recognizes outstanding afterschool professionals who step forward every day to help children in need, support academic growth, provide healthy snacks and meals, and serve as role models.
2024 Afterschool Superheroes
Madeline Emmi | Youth 360 Club Manager Houston Middle/High, United Way of Mat-Su - Youth 360, (Houston, AK)
Eric Heil | Health & PE Teacher at GMVS, Goldenview Middle School, Anchorage School District (Anchorage, AK)
Shellie Worsfold | Site Coordinator for PYDAP CHILL program at Chapman, Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula (Homer, AK)
Victoria Merritt | Retired AfterSchool Manager, Youth Center and Gym Manger, The City of Craig Parks and Recreation (Craig, AK)
Elizabeth Castillo | Army Child & Youth Services Program Assistant / Teacher, Fort Wainwright (Fairbanks, AK)
Click Here to learn more about our 2024 Superheroes
Past Awardees
Learn more about our past afterschool awardees!
Afterschool Champion Award
2022 - Representative Don Young. Read more about our 2022 Afterschool Champion here.
2021 - Barbara Pennington. Read more about our 2021 Afterschool Champion here.
2020 - Dr. Karen Gaborik. Read more about our 2020 Afterschool Champion here.
2019 - Rebecca Soza. Read more about our 2019 Afterschool Champion here.
2018 - Sen. Cathy Giessel & Rep. Matt Claman. Read more about our 2018 Afterschool Champion here.
2017 - Dale Austermuhl. Read more about our 2017 Afterschool Champion here.
2016 - Barb Dubovich. Read more about our 2016 Afterschool Champion here.
2016 - Kevin Ritchie. Read more about our 2016 Afterschool Champion here.
Afterschool Superhero Award
2023 - Meghan Boltz, Chris Etzwiler, Becky Turland, Jennifer Wienke, Karina Marette, and Cindy Tapia-Ruiz.
Read about the 2023 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2022 - Becca Madsen, Valarie Jackson, Connor Tetlow, Shirley Craig, Katie Holmlund, and Lea Hood.
Read about the 2022 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2021 - Mo Dart, Pam Gingue, Jazzanne Gordon-Fretwell, Sierra Moskios, and Julie Johnson.
Read about the 2021 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2020 - Billy Smith, Pauline Mejia, Wendi Raygor, Karla Horner Raffaele, and Chong Vue.
Read about the 2020 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2019 - Kristina Rush, Drasida Basargin, Lynette Ortolano, Kristy Peterson, and Kiara Kearns.
Read about the 2019 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2018 - Deanna Baier, Jorden Nigro, Kyla Dammann, Marilyn Eggleston, and Brad Fidel.
Read about the 2018 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.
2017 - Tracey Hupe, Missy Odsather, Janice Hadley, Thomas Burek, and Courtney Havrilek.
Read about the 2017 Alaska Afterschool Superheroes here.