Sixth grade recipients of the Peacekeeper Award, left to right: Genoveva Ramirez of the Akron Community Relations Task Force, Andrew Hurd, Johnny Gonsalez, Corey Fincher, Hayley Backus, Taylor Smith, Hannah Engstrand, and Priscilla Burdge of the Akron Community Relations Task Force.

By Brett Boggs
Superintendent, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation

Seventeen Tippecanoe Valley Middle Students were recipients of the Peacekeeper Award presented during the school’s annual Awards Day program. The Peacekeeper Award, sponsored annually by the Akron Community Relations Task Force, is presented to students who are not only “good citizens” in the general sense, but individuals who also clearly demonstrate one or more of the following:

• A friendly, positive attitude toward everyone – especially toward others of a different cultural, ethnic, racial and/or socio-economic background.
• Regular, cooperative working and social relationships with those of differing backgrounds – in small group work, in student organizations, and/or on teams.
• A sense of advocacy for those in need – stands up for and tries to help those who are victims of bullying, who are often “left out” of activities and social situations and/or who are “at-risk” for some reason.

Seventh grade recipients of the Peacekeeper Award, left to right: Genoveva Ramirez of the Akron Community Relations Task Force, Amy Baca, Emma Craig, Ally Betten, Mariah Miller, Mitchell Smith, Mercedes Roszak, Jalen Potter and Priscilla Burdge of the Akron Community Relations Task Force.

Eighth grade recipients of the Peacekeeper Award, left to right: Genoveva Ramirez of the Akron Community Relations Task Force, Grace Revere, April Elchert, Hannah Durkes, Tiphanie Hodge and Priscilla Burdge of the Akron Community Relations Task Force.

Each first year recipient of the Peacekeeper Award was presented with an engraved key ring and a certificate.  Second year recipients were presented a peace charm and a certificate.