Rebecca Gerik, Brandon's CREATE Recipient and Teacher, with Brandon and Mayor Sullivan

Brandon Yanoshek is a highly successful student and a praise-worthy young man.

He has overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and great heartache.  Just prior to starting High School, Brandon lost his father in an accident during a family rafting trip.  The emotional trauma and financial despair inflicted on the family has been immeasurable.  However, Brandon has emerged from that tragedy with resolve and determination to excel in his every endeavor.

He has a passion to serve his school and community.  He has participated in 35 diverse community service initiatives and has volunteered 213 hours over the past four years at endeavors such as Adopt-a-Road, Food Bank of Alaska, Salvation Army, Color Guard and Flag Ceremonies, plus two construction-related missionary trips for his church.  He is currently pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout.  His project is to construct a large storage shed for a local preschool, which will require 340 volunteer man-hours to complete.  

Brandon has earned Varsity Letter in Bowling and Track & Field, and was a valued member of South’s Swimming, Cross-Country Running, and Tennis teams.  He is an accomplished musician and has played the violin as a 3-year veteran of the orchestra.

He has established goals and aspirations for his future and will enroll at UAA to pursue his life-long dream of starting a professional aviation career.  To achieve that goal, he is taking Aviation Technology classes at King Career Center and has applied for an alternate flight-training opportunity.  He intends to join the Alaska Air National Guard and become a Military pilot.  He then hopes to branch out into commercial aviation.

Brandon’s Nominator, Teacher and JROTC Instructor Bevan Orme added:

Brandon is the type of student we love to have in our JROTC program.  He personifies the qualities of “Integrity first, Service before self, and Excellence in all we do.”  He is a motivator and a leader and is the kindest and most selfless student I’ve encountered in my eight years of teaching.