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Photo courtesy Carol Waters via Daily Sitka Sentinel

Teressa Baldwin, 17, is honored in Anchorage on Oct. 21, 2011. Baldwin was 5 when she saw her uncle take his own life. She grew up around the rural suicide epidemic, which hit home for her again last year when she lost her boyfriend to suicide. Baldwin's plan to enlist students around the state to increase suicide-prevention activities at Alaska high schools and to push for mandatory prevention training for teachers got the highest possible monetary award from Alaska Federation of Natives, competing in a category against businesses from around the state. She is being honored at the White House today.

Mt. Edgecumbe senior honored at White House ceremony

Associated Press

Published: December 1st, 2011 11:02 AM
Last Modified: December 1st, 2011 11:02 AM

A senior at Mt. Edgecumbe school in Sitka was among 11 American Native youths honored today at the White House

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Teressa Baldwin of Kiana is the founder of an organization working on suicide prevention. As a junior, she was appointed by Gov. Sean Parnell to the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council.

Baldwin was honored through the Champions of Change program.

White House officials say the program was created by the Obama administration to highlight issues and recognize individuals working to improve their communities.

Officials say today's event recognized people addressing challenges faced by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Those honored also are attending the White House Tribal Nations Conference.