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Tamuning, Guam, Saturday, November 13, 2021- GTA is excited to announce this year's 2021-2022 Youth Leaders: Mark Imazu (Scholar-Athlete) from John F. Kennedy High School, Grace Anne Dela Cruz (Community Philanthropist) from Simon Sanchez High School, Isabella Olalia (Creative Artist) from George Washington High School, Elizabeth Chua (STEM Achiever) from St. John's School, and Neleh-Jan Leon Guerrero (Career and Technical Innovator) from Guam High School.
Roland Certeza, President and CEO at GTA, says, "I'm inspired by our youth who continue to excel and lead positive change in the community while exhibiting academic excellence. Our Youth Leader Program is a platform for our future leaders to develop their skills and set them up for success. We look forward to seeing them grow into leaders of the island.”
About our GTA Youth Leaders: Mark Imazu (Scholar Athlete)- Senior, JFKHS
Captain of the Manhoben Swim Club and MVP Swimmer
Captain of the JFK Cross Country team, placing in All-Island Cross Country and Track and Field
Active in numerous clubs to include the Island Wide Board of Governing Students and Student Council WAY
He’s an avid triathlete placing in Guam National Triathlons and is a Cocos Crossing Champion in his division
He attended the Oceania and Pan Pacific Championships, along with the Pacific Games.
Grace Anne Dela Cruz (Community Philanthropist) – Senior, Simon Sanchez High Schoo
Vice-Chair of the Island Wide Board of Governing Students
SSHS Representative sitting on the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council
Holds several leadership roles in various clubs at SSHS: Student Body Association President, WAVE Club President, Care Club Vice President, and a member of the GTA Junior Achievement Company Program.
Founder of the Purple Hearts Project Guam Chapter, an organization to raise awareness about violence and discrimination against women.
Isabella Olalia (Creative Artist)- Senior, George Washington High School
Top 10 in her class
Co-Leader of Manhoben Para Guahan, a youth driven organization that advocates for the protection and promotion of the island’s environmental culture, and rights to sovereignty.
Interned with Nihi whose mission is to build for future generations on Guam and who advocates to protect the Northern Guam Lens Aquifer.
Former VIBE intern with the Pacific Daily News
Elizabeth Chua (STEM Achiever)- Junior, St. John’s School
Holds numerous leadership positions in her school to include taking on the duties as Treasurer of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, President of the SJS Glee Club, and Vice President and Co-Founder of the Art Club.
Earned top awards in the Guam Island Wide Science Fair
Took home Bronze in the International Conference of Young Scientists, Belgrade and Silver in the International Young Scientists Innovation Exhibition in Malaysia.
Neleh-Jan Leon Guerrero (Career and Technical Innovator) - Senior, Guam High School
Received the Joint Region Marianas Junior Student Excellence Award from the Joint Region Marianas
LEGO/Underwater Robotics Engineer/Head of Systems; Her expertise led her club to be awarded 3rd place for two island wide competitions.
Guam High School Senior Council President
Member of the National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society
Guam High School Nursing Assistant, with a passion to become a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Nominated and selected to be a member of the Guam Youth Advisory Council.
Winners will enjoy the benefits of a GTA Youth Leader:
complimentary GTA mobile phone services and the latest Android or iPhone for one academic school year
a $2,000 scholarship in a 529b account with ASC Trust, and
up to 160,000 air mileage points to compete in an approved art, sport, or academic competition
