GTA Announces2019-2020Youth Leaders

(Tamuning, Guam-Monday, October 21, 2019) GTA announced this year’s 2019-2020 Youth Leaders at this weekend’s Life Teen Expo at Agana Shopping Center. Out of nearly 40 applications submitted and reviewed by a Youth Leader Program committee and GTA executives, the local telecom company announced Avinash Dhanrajand Austia Mendiola as the Youth Leaders for this school year. With youth empowerment at the forefront of GTA’s community goals, all high school students were invited to apply and avail of benefits. Winners of the Youth Leader Program will enjoy complimentary GTA mobile phone service and the latest Android or iPhone for one academic school year, a $2,000 scholarship in a 529baccount with ASC Trust, and up to 100,000 mileage points to compete in approved competitions in the arts, sports or academics.

Roland Certeza, GTA President and CEO, says, “We established the Youth Leader Program because we felt that supporting our future leaders is a core part of our mission to give back to our community. It is gratifying to see the amount of dedication our students have to creating positive change with their peers. We are honored to have Austia and Avinash be a part of our efforts to pave the way for Guam’s Youth. They were chosen from a very competitive applicant pool of high school students who continue to excel in everything they do. We also thank all high school students for having the courage to participateby submitting their videos and letters of recommendation.”

Meet GTA Youth Leaders

Avinash “Avi” Dhanrajis a homeschooled student passionate about academics and volunteering for charitable causes. He led the Guam Robotics Team to an international competition. Under the National Science Foundation, he presented on how to save our island’s coral. He also promoted positive journalism while interning at the Guam Daily Post (The Scoop). Avinash also attends a Systems Analysis and Design course at the Guam Community College. His Computer Science Instructor, Anthony Whitt, says Avi’s academic performanceis consistently above average and adds that he leads in complex assignments geared towards college level aspiring project managers.

Austia Mendiolais a junior at Notre Dame High School and star volleyball player. She recently represented Guam in the Women’s National Volleyball(Haggan Neni)team, being the youngest player on their team and the co-captain. She remains committed to her studies, being a 4.0 student and continues to pursue her athletic endeavors. Her coach, Art Stanley, calls her an outstanding student and says Austia supports others in and out of the classroom. GTA Youth Leaders will not only create positive influence amongst their peers, but they will also represent GTA in person at youth events and on social media.