News Photo by Diane Speer This year’s student Peace Contest winners are, front row left, Briana Jasso, Marley Samuel, Alexas Wirgau, Alexa Blumenthal, Ashlyn Gray, Lindsey Brilinski, Anna Sheridan, Rayna Koch, Hailee Robinette, Taryn Tessmer and Ethan Kalisch. In the back row are Katie Bushey, Brenten Beaubien, Alex Dikeman, Nathan Pokorzynski, Amelia Cameron, Maddie Wiedbrauk, Tiffany Tessmer, Emily Kalisch, Chloe Amaya and Taylor Widajewski. Winners not pictured are Clara Orban, Anna Skiba, Kalan McConnell, Miranda Quintel and Haley Sharon.

News Photo by Diane Speer
This year’s student Peace Contest winners are, front row left, Briana Jasso, Marley Samuel, Alexas Wirgau, Alexa Blumenthal, Ashlyn Gray, Lindsey Brilinski, Anna Sheridan, Rayna Koch, Hailee Robinette, Taryn Tessmer and Ethan Kalisch. In the back row are Katie Bushey, Brenten Beaubien, Alex Dikeman, Nathan Pokorzynski, Amelia Cameron, Maddie Wiedbrauk, Tiffany Tessmer, Emily Kalisch, Chloe Amaya and Taylor Widajewski. Winners not pictured are Clara Orban, Anna Skiba, Kalan McConnell, Miranda Quintel and Haley Sharon.

“These are all wonderful expressions of peace and creativity that come from our people,” said Rev. William McClure, a Peace Coalition member and priest at Trinity Episcopal Church. “How amazing our young people are, and they give us hope for the future.”

Helping McClure to recognize the students at the ceremony was Mayor Matt Waligora.

The student contest is held annually as part of the Peace Coalition’s 30 Days of Peace observance that begins each year on Sept. 11. Throughout the month, a variety of community events are held to draw attention to the cause of peace.

The overall theme of the 2018 observance was “Heal the Earth and Save All Life.” Students were asked to use that theme in some way when creating their works of art. Topics depicted through their pieces were endangered animals, pollution of the Earth and joining hands with people of all nationalities.

“I can’t fully express how impressed I am with their creativity,” McClure said of the students. “If I had my way, we would give first prizes to everyone.”

In attendance along with the students and their family members was Carol Skiba, who coordinates the 30 Days of Peace and is a driving force behind the contest.