After a morning of brainstorming and discussion, the 55 delegates at the Convention for Young Alaskans have crystallized their ideas and formed specific goals for the state of Alaska.

Their ideas were presented topic by topic, and then further discussed and deliberated by the delegates. Delegates were allowed to advocate for the goals most important to them. Here's a quick rundown:

Education

The delegates discussed issues such as teacher recruitment and retention, curriculum, Alaska's low graduation rates, and the role real-life applications play in education.

Natural Resources

The top issues discussed were sustainability, subsistence, responsible development, as well as innovative development.

Community and Family

The delegates talked about issues such as mental health, accessible health care, extra curricular activities, inter-generational connections, and early childhood development services. Issues like cultural relativity, and family/behavior education also dominated the discussion.

Leadership

The delegates talked about the need for good mentors, rural leadership opportunities, opportunities in the education system, retaining Alaska's leadership, and the need for statewide collaboration when it comes to leadership opportunities.

The Alaska Dream

            It seems as if the Alaska Dream is a fairly abstract topic. However, the delegates decided that education about the state of Alaska was important, as well as government participation, how to uphold the values of diversity and unity, the preservation of the unique lifestyles found in Alaska, and passing on the Alaskan Spirit to the next generation.