8th-grade winners are, from left, Branson McBrier, Jaeda Carpenter, Drake Montelongo, Brandon Hammer, Grace Wilson, Nicole Ziemek and Wade Melanson

AKRON — At an awards ceremony Friday, May 25, the Akron Community Relations Task Force presented middle school students with peacekeeper awards at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School. Task Force members Priscilla and Ross Burdge presented the awards.

An award program was established in 2009 to recognize middle school students at Valley who embrace good citizenship and demonstrate a friendly, positive attitude toward everyone, especially toward those of a different cultural, ethnicity or racial or socio-economic background.

The nominated students displayed a sense of advocacy for those in need and stood up for victims of bullying, students who get left out of social situations and other activities or anyone who may be at risk. The nominations are made by any administrator, teacher or staff member of the school.

The Akron Community Relations Task Force was formed by community members in 2006 and leads with a mission to improve the lives of all community members, to raise multi-cultural awareness and respect and to build and maintain positive relationships through social, educational and economic means.

6th-grade winners are, from left, Juan Campos, Carson Craft, Trent Marshall, Wade Jones, Anahi Ramirez, Chesnee Miller, Zoe Miller, Kaylynn Miller, Sydney Mills, Issiac Ramsey and Madeline Smith

7th-grade winners are, from left, Caden David, Kennedy Kohler, Alison Smythe, Skylar Hyde, Kaydence Mellott, Abby Koch, Galvin Shambaugh and Dom Utter

Award winners not pictured: Jessa Schroeder (6th grade) and Makena Smith (7th grade)