GTA Announces Youth Leaders for the 2026–2027 School Year

(Tamuning, Guam) Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - GTA is recognizing five outstanding high school students through its GTA Youth Leader Program for SY 2026-2027. The program was established in 2019 to recognize young people who demonstrate leadership through service, academics, athletics, the arts, advocacy, entrepreneurship, environmental efforts and other contributions to their schools and communities. When the program first launched, GTA received about 30 applications. This year, more than 80 students applied.

“The growth of the GTA Youth Leader Program says a lot about the young people we have on Guam,” said Sharon Davis, Senior Vice President of Community Engagement & Enterprise Sales at GTA. “We continue to see students who are stepping up, helping others and finding ways to make things better. Leadership does not always look big, and this program gives us an opportunity to recognize the difference these student leaders are already making - and encourage them to keep going.”

The 2026-2027 GTA Youth Leaders are:

Nehal Kodiyamplakkal, Harvest Christian Academy, Junior

Nehal’s leadership includes service, youth advocacy, behavioral health, environmental work and entrepreneurship. As FBLA President, she helped lead an initiative that raised more than $25,000 for Harvest House. She was also the first and only youth from Guam selected to attend the 2026 CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute. She now chairs the developing Thrive Youth Coalition, which focuses on prevention and behavioral health education. Nehal is also co-founder of Guaiya Tasi, a youth-led organization that holds monthly beach cleanups and has helped remove nearly 2,000 pounds of trash from Guam’s coastlines.

Makoa Kahele, Father Duenas Memorial School, Senior

Makoa serves as Student Council President and has been involved in student leadership since his freshman year. He served as Executive Chairperson of the 2025 Songfest, helping coordinate an event that generated more than $100,000 in net profit for his school. He is also a dedicated football and rugby athlete and represents Guam through the Guam Rugby Club Barbarians. Makoa has also worked with Guam’s youth as a counselor at a University of Guam athletic summer camp.

Clara Kim, St. John’s School, Junior

Clara is involved in academics, music, athletics, research and environmental work. She is a longtime cross-country runner and violinist and holds leadership positions in her school’s Glee Club, Tri-M Music Honor Society and Orchestra. Her six-month research project on the Guam Land Trust Act earned first place at the 2026 Guam History Day Competition and led to her representing Guam at the National History Day competition in Washington, D.C. Through Guam Green Growth, she has also created Guam-inspired products and helped collect and sort more than 80 pounds of plastic each week.

Kyria Lim, Tiyan High School, Senior

Kyria has taken an active role in student leadership, school productions, service and the arts. As a class council officer, she helped strengthen student engagement and supported fundraising and school activities. She also founded Tiyan High School’s first Drama Club, which grew to more than 15 members in its first year. Through her work as a KUAM Spark Ambassador, she has participated in community giving initiatives and created public service videos covering youth leadership, education, social media and civic engagement. Her creative work has also earned recognition, including first place in the Micronesia Challenge Guam Art Competition.

Alwyn Lin, St. John’s School, Senior

Alwyn has distinguished himself through academics, public health and community service. He has earned recognition in science and mathematics, including a bronze medal representing Team Guam at the International Conference for Young Scientists and first place at the University of Guam Math Competition. He has gained hands-on experience as a clinical research intern at Guam Memorial Hospital and has pursued additional healthcare training. As President of the Awareness for Special Kids Club, he leads athletic sessions with Special Olympics Guam and Autism Community Together, while also organizing youth conferences and fundraisers. He is also active in environmental efforts through his school’s Environmental Club.

Recognizing Young Leaders

Each of the five GTA Youth Leaders will receive an iPad Air and a $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their accomplishments and commitment to leadership and service.

From this year’s group of five Youth Leaders, Clara Kim and Nehal Kodiyamplakkal were selected as the 2026-2027 Top GTA Youth Leaders. In addition to the iPad Air and $1,000 scholarship, each will receive 100,000 United MileagePlus miles to support travel to approved competitions, conferences, educational opportunities and other leadership experiences.

GTA congratulates all five students and thanks their families, teachers and mentors for supporting their continued growth and leadership.

The GTA Youth Leader Program is part of GTA’s ongoing commitment to supporting and recognizing young people who are making a difference in Guam.

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Photo Caption:

Photo 1 L-R

GTA Youth Leaders for SY 2026-2027: Kyria Lim, Nehal Kodiyamplakkal , Clara Kim, Makoa Kahele, and Alwyn Lin

Remaining Photos:

Sharon Davis, SVP of Community Engagement and Enterprise Sales, with our GTA Youth Leaders; GTA Youth Leaders with their family members.