Alaskan High Kicks and High Achievements
2025 Yes I Can Award Winner Spotlight: Daniel Rodgers
When Daniel Rodgers took the stage at the 2025 Yes I Can Awards Ceremony, the spotlight illuminated more than just his Alaskan High Kick. It demonstrated the resilience, talent, and determination that have shaped Daniel's journey from rural Wasilla, Alaska, to the Council for Exceptional Children Convention stage in Baltimore, Maryland.
A ninth grader and Deaf student-athlete, Daniel was one of only twelve students and youth recognized by CEC with a 2025 Yes I Can Award. Honored in the category of School and Community Activities, Daniel is known for his achievements in the Native Youth Olympics (NYO), a celebration of traditional Native Alaskan games that demand exceptional balance, strength, and precision.
During the ceremony, Daniel, with the help of his brother Joseph, performed a live demonstration of NYO in front of hundreds of attendees. "The crowd was dark and I was bright," Daniel said, describing the moment. Focused and composed, he stayed grounded by concentrating on the task at hand. "It was fun to do the Alaskan High Kick on stage," he shared later.
Daniel's mother, Elizabeth Rodgers, reflected on the significance of the moment: "The Yes I Can Awards celebrated, on an international stage, what society would label as his 'disabilities.' These youth, with their diverse achievements, are worth celebrating!"
For the Rodgers family, the experience marked an opportunity for bonding, learning, and expanding their shared view of what is possible. "The traveling experience alone, from Alaska to Baltimore, with a couple stops on the way, was an enriching and enthralling experience for each member of our family," Elizabeth shared. Friends and extended family joined from Alaska, Florida, Pennsylvania, Toronto, and Ottawa to celebrate Daniel and cheer him on.
The ceremony also helped Daniel grow in new ways. "Daniel took the whole experience in stride as another new broadening venue to share what he loves," Elizabeth said. "I think it increased his confidence for the public opportunities he has stepped into since YIC. The interview portion of the ceremony improved his public speaking abilities."
Daniel's success is fueled by his self-advocacy and the unwavering support of his family. He wants his teachers and coaches to understand that "just because I speak doesn't mean that I hear everything." Elizabeth emphasizes the importance of openness to new strategies, creativity, and listening when working with students who have exceptional needs. She advises teachers and coaches to "listen first to the families walking through the experience, then respond and make decisions as a team."
Since receiving his award, Daniel has deepened his involvement in NYO. He placed fourth at the Senior State NYO competition and shared his skills by teaching other Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students at Alaska's DHH camp. His dedication, leadership, and talent continue to inspire those around him.
While Elizabeth considers the Yes I Can Awards a "once in a lifetime experience that we will always cherish," the ever-motivated athlete Daniel had a different perspective: "I want to win it again!"
