Peace First is honoring young peacemakers for the actions they take to address injustice in their schools and communities. Peace First Prize winners demonstrate compassion, courage and collaborative change to bring peace to their community. Young peacemakers apply to receive a Peace First Fellowship, in which winners receive $25,000 over two years to further their work and education and receive mentoring and professional development.
Here is just one of last year’s amazing winners…
Sarah Cronk was a high school freshman when she saw a popular upperclassman invite her normally excluded brother with aspergers to sit with him at lunch. Later the same upperclassman invited Sarah’s brother to join the swimming team. This changed her brother’s high school experience. He now felt a sense of belonging that wasn’t there before.
It was this event that encouraged Sarah to do the same for other students with disabilities. She began an inclusive cheerleading squad. The Sparkle Team, as it was named, was so popular that the squad eventually did not have enough room. So Sarah started The Sparkle Effect. She created an 11-step guide for others to create their own inclusive cheerleading squads in their own communities.
See her entry for yourself…
Do you know a young peacemaker? Nominate them now at http://peacefirst.org/prize/nominate!
Nominations are accepted through Monday, March 17, and no project is too small. Peace First believes wants to celebrate young people’s incredible work small or large. Help them find young peacemakers in your community.
