Albany Democrat-herald

Several Albany students and school staff were honored Tuesday at the first Peace Awards Celebration at the Albany Public Library, sponsored by the Albany Peace Seekers and Linn-Benton Community College's Institute for Peace and Justice.

Three students received Peace Award Scholarships: Anna Anderson, a senior at West Albany High School, $500; and Jamie Stockton and Jose Lule Juarez, seniors at South Albany High School, $400 each.

Anderson started the Peace on Earth Club at West, led the Dollars for Darfur fundraiser and collected money for the Invisible Children of Rwanda.

South's Stockton was a leader in the Peer Mediation program, and Juarez served in a leadership role with the Mundos Differentes Club.

Six additional students received recognition for actions and attitudes that contribute to peace, justice and conflict resolution at their schools, said Sharon Gisler, chairperson of Albany Peace Seekers. They are: Doug Collins, Mat Hill and Kayla Randall, WAHS; Joe Anderson, Deanna Stockton and Casey Sullivan, SAHS.

"Most of these students were involved in peer mediation and other related activities," Gisler said.

Staff were recognized during the awards celebration as well: Gareth Engler, Jean Gritter, Max White and Blain Willard from West, and Jenny Keep, LaDonne Smith and Robyn Tilton from South.

"Basically, the staff nominees supported and/or led groups and modeled the peace attitudes," Gisler said.

The staff and students were nominated by other students and teachers for their work, and all received certificates for their efforts on behalf of peace and justice.