***Photo of GTA Youth Leader Finalists from L-R: Back: Kyan Toh (FDMS), Anthony Gregoire (HCA), Andrew Kang (JFK), Sydney Packbier (SJS), Ricardo Leon Guerrero II (NDHS), Hailey Pangelinan (SSHS); Front: Amara David (AOLG), Victoria Rapadas (AOLG), Mia Lee (SJS), Lysez Santos (THS). ()
(Tamuning, Guam) Wednesday, September 27, 2023 - GTA is excited to announce the finalists for the 2023-2024 Youth Leader program, along with the male and female overall winners. As Guam's longest-serving telecom provider, GTA introduced the Youth Leader program in 2019, providing opportunities for young leaders who excel in academics and make positive contributions to their community. The awards ceremony took place yesterday at the GTA Experience Center in Tamuning to honor the newest Youth Leader cohort.
Nate Denight, GTA's Vice President of Product and Marketing, extended his congratulations to the latest Youth Leader finalists, saying, "We commend our young leaders not only for their outstanding academic achievements but also for their unwavering dedication to driving positive change within our community. Their inspiring actions fuel our commitment to empower our youth, who, in turn, serve as sources of motivation among their peers."
2023 – 2024 GTA Youth Leader Finalists:
Each finalist receives a premium smartphone and a GTA mobile plan for the academic year.
Amara David (Senior, Academy of Our Lady of Guam)
Founder of the Affinity for Animals Club, dedicated to raising awareness and assisting abused, stray, and endangered animals in Guam
Volunteer at Guam Memorial Hospital and Guam Cancer Care
Student Class Council Secretary, member of the National Honor Society, Varsity Tennis Team, and the Academic Challenge Bowl
Sydney Packbier (Junior, St. John's School)
Excels in academics, being part of the Headmaster's List and inducted into the National Honor Society
Member of the Mandana and Newspaper Clubs
Held elected positions in the Student Council
Excels in tennis, winning gold medals in local and regional championships, including the High School Tennis All Island Girls' Championship, and named MVP for the IIAAG High School Tennis Girls' Season
Member of the Guam National Tennis and Guam Junior National Tennis Teams, with achievements in the North Pacific Regionals, Pacific Oceania Junior Championships, and participation in the ITF Billie Jean King Cup in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Tajikistan, among others.
Hailey Pangelinan (Junior, Simon Sanchez High School)
Member of the Band Club, PRO for LGBTQ+ Club, Junior Achievement of Guam (Team GTA's Maila' Ta Fan Dana', Vice President of Production), Academic Challenge Bowl, and Close Up
Student Body President and member of the National Honor Society
Volunteers at Island Girl Power
Lysez Santos (Senior, Tiyan High School)
Member and Captain of the ISA Girls Basketball Varsity Team
Involved in the National Honor Society, Close Up, Upward Bound Program, the Mo'na Manhoben Youth Group, and Fanhita Manhoben Youth for Decolonization.
Anthony Gregoire (Senior, Harvest Christian Academy)
Member of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps
Achieved notable rankings in tournaments through the Guam National Tennis Association and the National Junior Tennis Team
Captain of the HCA High School Tennis Team and Member of the Soccer Team
Member of the National Honor Society
Ricardo Leon Guerrero II (Senior, Notre Dame High School)
Member of the Junior National's Guam Baseball Program
Participated in the Under 23 World Baseball Softball Confederation Oceania Qualifier
Represented ND at the Fanhita Manhoben Conference
Student Body Treasurer and active in the San Juan Bautista Church
Kyan Toh (Junior, Father Duenas Memorial School)
Representative to the 34th Guam Youth Congress
Member of the FDMS Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, currently serving as a Platoon Commander and receiving the Most Outstanding Cadet of the Year and Most Inspirational Leadership Award
Serves as Junior Class Vice President, excels as a Varsity Beach Volleyball player, serves as JV Captain for the FD Basketball team, and was part of the Junior Achievement Maila Ta' Fan Dana Team, which placed among the top three in the Company of the Year Program.
Victoria Rapadas (Senior, Academy of Our Lady of Guam)
President of the National Honor Society
Active Member of the Student Council
Captain of the Varsity Basketball and Soccer Teams, volunteers with Youth Basketball camps, and serves as a scorekeeper for local sports tournaments
Member of the U17 Guam Women's National Basketball Team
2023 - 2024 Overall Male and Female Winners:
In addition to the premium smartphone and a GTA mobile plan for the academic year, each Overall Winner receives a $1000 cash scholarship and 160,000 United Airline Miles.
Mia Lee (Junior, St. John's School)
Member of the National Honor Society
Represented Guam three times in the World Aquatics Championships as part of the Guam Swim Federation National Team
Holds six Guam National Records in Swimming and seven Guam age group records
Fastest Female Swimmer in the Marianas
President of the Amphibious Aquatics
Varsity Starter for the SJS Soccer Team
Mandana Club President
Member of the National Honor Society, Mandana Club, Humanitarian Club, Academic Challenge Bowl, and SJS Filipino Club
Andrew Kang (Junior, John F. Kennedy High School)
Conducted research with UOG on Freshwater Discharge Points in Tumon Bay and Endangered Coral
Overall 1st Place Winner at the Islandwide Science Fair and represented Guam at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair
Vice President of the Kennedy Debaters Team
Member of the Lincoln Douglas Debate Team, Secretary of the Korean Culture Club, and member of the Environmental Club, Academic Challenge Bowl, and the Onnuri Church Youth Leadership
Ranked in the top 10 of his class
For more information about the GTA Youth Leader Program, please visit GTA Newsroom: GTA Youth Leader Program Launches for SY 2023-2024.
