Pow Wow Person of the Year Nominations
By Denzel Alfaro
In 2019, Nayib Bukele was elected the 81st president of El Salvador and ran unopposed for re-election in May of 2024. Prior to his election, the country was tormented by devastating gang violence.
According to Vera Bergengruen in the article “How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador,” Nayib Bukele’s policies have made the country safer than Canada and the homicide rate has also dropped by 70%.
Nayib Bukele has been criticized around the world for enforcing “mano dura,” a set of tough-on-crime policies. But now, according to Vera Bergengruen, many of his initial critics court his favor. The people in El Salvador also call him “El Milagro,” which translates to “the miracle” in Spanish.
Nayib Bukele’s policies have caused a reset in the country of El Salvador. I was given the opportunity to visit the country twice last year, and what is being said is true. The country is leaving the dark past behind and advancing towards a future with no more violence, thanks to President Nayib Bukele.
By Isari Altagracia
Elton John is the most highly applauded and successful solo musician of all time. He earned the title “Icon of the Year” in 2024 from TIME magazine, and before that, he received the Gershwin prize for most popular song in 2023. Elton John has achieved 2 diamond, 43 platinum/multi-platinum, and 26 gold albums, has made over 70 Top 40 hits, and has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, as AXSTV shows in the article “Elton John Named Time’s 2024 Icon of The Year.”
Elton John also holds the record for the biggest-selling single of all time. Additionally, he has given over 4,600 performances in more than 80 countries, according to The Rocket Club in the article “About Elton John.”
According to the article “Our History,” Elton John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992. The foundation organizes an annual Academy Awards review to raise funds for direct patient care services and AIDS prevention education. The foundation was inspired by Elton John’s late friend, Ryan White, who died of AIDS at 18.
Elton John flawlessly adapts and captures how music changes its essence throughout time. He’s earned accolades for working in animated films and on Broadway, showing a versatility that few other artists can claim. As a member of the industry for more than 60 years, he has demonstrated his never-ending dedication to entertainment.
By Cynthia Argueta
Angelina Jolie has made many contributions in society, changing people’s lives, especially women, and taking matters into her own hand when it comes to fighting for what is right. As a mother of six, she understands the importance of being a good mother, actress, and role model as well.
In 2012, Jolie partnered up with former Foreign Secretary Lord William Hague of Richmond to start The Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative. She founded the National Center for Refuges and Immigrant Children.
According to Samantha Leffler in the article “10 Times Humanitarian Angelina Jolie Made the World a better Place,” Angelina Jolie has empowered women while also protecting bee populations. In May of 2021, she was named the godmother of the “Women for Bees” initiative. It is a five-year program that teaches women how to be beekeepers.
She has also been an advocate for divorced women. Angelia Jolie Says, “She Spent Her Holidays Home and in Pajamas While Divorce Was Finalized: ‘It Was Quiet” by Liza Esquibias, remained strong throughout the divorce with her children and found strength in moving forward. She was invited to the Golden Globes because of her nomination for her role as Maria in the movie “Maria,” which featured her acting and singing abilities.
By Hector Ballester
Chappell Roan is a queer musician who recently won both the BBMAs and MTV VMAs Top New Artist of 2024. Her most recognizable song, “Good Luck, Babe!” hit #1 on the Pop Airplay Chart in Sept. 2024. She is also currently up for six GRAMMY nominations.
Another recognizable song, “Pink Pony Club” was first released as a single in Apr. 2020 and then included in her album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,” which was released in Sept. 2023.
At the 2024 MTV VMAs, she said, “To the gays who dedicate my songs to someone they love or hate. And thank you to the people who are fans, who listen to me, who hear me when I share my joy and fears. Thank you for listening.” She is a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.
By Oneyda Flores
Felix Lee is an Australian rapper and singer based in South Korea. He is a member of the South Korean boy band Stray Kids, formed by JYP Entertainment in 2017. In “The Evolution of Stray Kids’ Felix Lee “by Taylor Glassy, it’s noted that Felix had only been training for a year before being thrust into the spotlight. He was first street-scouted in Sydney, then moved to South Korea without speaking the language, then debuted with Stray Kids at 17 years old. His luminous presence has earned him the nickname of “Felix Sunshine.
According to Minsoo-Kim in the article “Stray Kids’ Felix joins UNICEF Team Campaign to Support Children in Need,” on Dec. 23, the Korean Committee for UNICEF announced that Felix would be joining the UNICEF Team, a campaign with Kim Yuna, Kim Hye-soo, and Faker. Felix was appointed as UNICEF goodwill ambassador for Korea Back in September.
Known for his dedication to charitable work, Felix has consistently led donation efforts for the underprivileged communities. In “Happy Felix Day: Exploring top iconic moments of Stray Kids’ member, including God’s Menu’s verse to thanking fans in a Deep Voice” By Pratyusha Dash, it’s noted that on January 4, the Korean Committe announced that Felix donated 100 million won (approximately $76,650 in American dollars) to the organization. This donation made him the youngest member of UNICEF’s Honors Club and the first to join in 2024.
According to Joseph Kocharian in the article “Felix: The Muse,” during the lunar New Year holiday, he volunteered for the organization on a project in Laos that aims to improve nutrition, lower water pollution and improve sanitation. To Felix, both male and female clothing has made him confident. He modeled at the Maison’s Women’s Fall/Winter 2024 during the Paris Fashion Week. Marking one of the significant moments of his career and breaking into the fashion world. He strutted down the runway carrying a grey bag and wearing a textured white turtleneck top with fur on the end of the sleeves, and duo-chromed trousers. He became a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton back in August 2023.
By Allisson Paz
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper-songwriter from Compton, Calif. He is known for being one of the greatest rappers of all time, leaving his audience with such a positive impact. According to Jared Evitts in the article “Kendrick Lamar sweeps BET Hip Hop Awards,” Lamar took home the titles “song of the year” and “artist of the year” and six other awards in 2024.
Kendrick is known for being socially conscious and influential when it comes to expressing himself through his music. As Ankitha Donepudi suggests in the article “The Art of Empathy: Kendrick Lamar and Me,” “his songs consisting of deep social overtones, touching on gun violence, racial and socio-economic discrimination, institutional racism, sexual abuse, mass incarceration and so much more.”
Kendrick also made history by being the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize for his album “DAMN” in 2018. He was the first winner that didn’t belong to the classical or jazz genres. In “Kendrick Lamar Wins Pulitzers in ‘Big Moment for Hip-Hop'” by Joe Coscarelli, it’s noted that “The board called the album ‘a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African American life.’”
By Deyana Flores
A$AP Rocky is a rapper who has also had a major impact on the fashion world. According to Cedric ‘BIG CED’ Thornton, A$Ap Rocky received the “cultural innovator award” at the fashion awards this year.
As Alexandra Špirková suggest in the article “Is Asap Rocky the New Slavs Fashion Icon,” Špirková says “If needing outfit inspo, you can always check out Rocky’s outfits.” A$AP has demonstrated a love for scarfs, especially Babushkas. A babushka is a headscarf tied under the chin, and is typically worn by Polish and Russian women.
A$AP doesn’t only express himself through fashion, but in music too. In his song ‘’Fashion Killer,” he raps about celebrating high-end fashion and the lifestyle that comes with it. A$AP Rocky uses the relationship with his girl, who’s always impeccably dressed, to showcase his own sense of style.
By Sarai Barahona
Kamala Harris is the first woman, African American and South Asian American to be sworn in as Vice President of the United States. Harris is also the second woman (following Hillary Clinton) nominated for president as the 2024 democratic candidate.
As Vice President, Harris expanded the Child Tax Credit from up to $6,000 for families which cut child poverty in half. She also led the fight for the freedom of women to make decisions about their own bodies, visiting a Planned Parenthood clinic which is a historic first for any president or vice president while in office, according to previous reporting by USA TODAY.
According to the article “Kamala Harris, the Vice President,” she fought for the freedom to live safe from gun violence, the freedom to vote, and the freedom to drink clean water and breathe clean air. She also represented the nation, traveling to more than 19 countries and meeting with more than 150 world leaders to strengthen critical global alliances.
By Jorge Claros
Justin Trudeau is one of the most polarizing politicians of our time. He went from being adored by all as a man who promised to reshape Canada into a progressive society with real change to being one of the most hated leaders.
Trudeau was born into the family of a previous prime minster of Canada, Pierre Trudeau, but despite the connection he himself was not involved in politics and actively avoided it despite being told to do it. But his speeches, especially the one he gave at his father’s eulogy, impressed the public and his charismatic attitude made him a rising political force. He became the leading figure of reviving the Liberal party in Canada.
The way he used social media and adapted it for marketing purposes and his fantastic campaign helped build Trudeaus support but also him as a brand which helped him win the election of 2015, becoming the 23rd prime minister of Canada. But ultimately his branding was his own undoing. He environed Canada as a friendly place to allies, open to immigrants, and just to its people showcasing it as a progressive country.
But while living up to some of his promises, most went largely ignored due to the long lists of his large scandals that followed him. Trudeau became more and more unpopular in the public eye, causing the liberal party to give up and abandon Trudeau. All this culminated in his decision to resign on Jan. 6, 2024, ending his time as prime minister.
By Kelly Cordova
Justin Baldoni is an actor, director, and producer. He is an advocate for redefining masculinity and promoting emotional vulnerability, challenging traditional gender norms. This year, Baldoni directed the film adaptation of “It Ends with Us,” based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover, which explores themes of love, domestic abuse (particularly against women), and resilience.
Baldoni was largely influenced by his personal experiences and a desire to challenge the traditional, rigid expectations of masculinity that he felt limited him. In 2017, Baldoni launched Man Enough, a platform that includes a podcast, conversations, and a documentary. The goal of Man Enough is to spark open discussions about masculinity, encouraging men to embrace vulnerability, express emotions, and break free from societal pressures to be “tough” or emotionally distant.
His documentary, “The Mask You Live In,” which he also directed, delves deeply into the harmful effects of narrow gender expectations and highlights how they impact boys and men. Through his work, Baldoni has become a significant figure in the movement toward healthier, more authentic expressions of masculinity, aiming to create a space where men can feel comfortable being themselves without fear of judgment or shame. He is best known for his role as Rafael Solano on ”Jane the Virgin,” a popular comedy-drama television series that aired from 2014 to 2019.
By Edgardo Guevara
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, is a Puerto Rican singer, rapper, actor and record producer who has broken records with “Diles,” a latin trap song. His album “X 100PRE” was his first hit album with songs including “La Romana” with El Alfa and “Estamos Bien.” His new album, “DtMF (Debi tirar Mas Fotos),” released on Jan. 5, 2025, includes songs about his Puerto Rican roots, with mixing in other genres such as Salsa, Reggaeton, Dembow and House.
Bunny became the hugest global pop star in 2022 thanks to his hit album “Un Verano Sin Ti.” In ‘“How Bad Bunny became the biggest global pop star in 2022.” by NPR, it’s noted that the album “spent 13 nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200, the most weeks at No.1…[and] became the first Spanish-language album to be nominated for album of the year at the Grammys.”
Bunny has also used his influence to fight for social issues such as gay rights. Bunny, who appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” wore a t-shirt in Spanish that translates to “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt,” in order to bring attention to “Alexa Negrón Luciano, a homeless transgender woman who was shot and killed in Puerto Rico for using a women’s bathroom.” In the article “How Bad Bunny Used His Popularity to Stand Up for Social Issues,” Bad Bunny also promoted awareness of suffering Puerto Ricans after a hurricane. He dedicated his song ‘Estamos Bien’ (We’re Good) off his debut album to the victims of the hurricane.
By Jonathan Navarro
Chris Pratt is an American actor known for his roles in a variety of films, including Emmet from “The Lego Movie,” Mario in “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” and Garfield in “The Garfield Movie (2024).”
Chris Pratt is currently working on a Superman movie for DC Studios. He has also been involved in streaming projects such as “The Tomorrow War” and “The Terminal List.” Additionally, he recently appeared at the 2024 New York Comic Con for his upcoming Netflix sci-fi movie.
Chris Pratt has been involved in several controversies. These include his membership in the anti-LGBTQ Hillsong Church and his controversial tweets. He has also criticized other actors for their bad attitudes on movie sets.
By Kadiesha Noland
Elon Musk is known as the CEO for Tesla, CEO of SpaceX and the owner of X. He mostly makes electric cars and batteries. In an article by Moo Moo Technologies, Musk also mentioned that by the second quarter of 2025, the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system is expected to be safer than human drivers.
Recently, Musk has created humanoid Optimus robots that could possibly be working soon at Tesla as of 2025. He is planning on making as many as 10 million robots.
According to Elon Musk in the article “Elon Musks Vision: 30 billion Robots and a New Economic Dawn” by Ron Haruni, he claims that the sheer scale of robot production and integration into daily life could lead to what he describes as “unbounded economic growth.” It would help us out with the majority of the things we usually need help with.
By Andres Rodriguez
Jon M. Chu is an American film director, producer, and screen writer. He is well known for being the director of the recently released first installment of “Wicked,” as well as its sequel, “Wicked: For Good” and the upcoming biopic “The Woman in Me” about the life of Britney Spears.
He was awarded the Cinematic and Box office achievement award this past January at the Golden Globes. According to Vanity Fair, in the article “Awards Insider! Jon M. Chu Reflects on ‘In the Heights’ and What ‘Makes Everything Worth It,’” Jon M. Chu thanked his fans for their support.
His other work includes directing the movie “In the Heights,” which portrays the lives of the diverse residents of Washington Heights, New York, as they navigate obstacles and the sense of community in the face of transformation. In “Jon M. Chu shares updates on a long-awaited ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ sequel” by NBC, noting that this movie brings back to his heritage and soon enough will bring something more than another movie. Jon M Chu is excited to also announce an upcoming Broadway musical based on the romantic comedy, “Crazy Rich Asians,” which he also directed.
