Thanks to all those in the community who filled the school cafeteria on a snowy evening last week in support of the fifth annual Chilkat Valley Peace Prize awards ceremony. Thanks to all the Haines students who inspired us with their entries that revealed their dreams for peace in their own lives of people throughout the world. Haines People for Peace recognized over 40 students for their creative entries, which ranged from animated videos to original songs to colorful wall hangings.
Thanks to the elementary students who performed the “opening acts” for the prize-winning presenters. And we are grateful to Patrick Henderson for graciously volunteering to emcee the event and to all the teachers and school staff who supported the student efforts and assisted in organizing the ceremony, especially to Lisa Andriesen, Rene Martin, Akela Silkman, Patty Brown, Jansy Hansen, Sam McPhetres, Lily Boron, Tiana Taylor and Lori Giddings.
Thanks to all those who made donations so that Haines People for Peace could once again present the student council with a check to support the Building Bridges project. Last year, students used the grant funds to assist with a new building effort at the Kilimanjaro orphanage.
And thanks to all those others who helped in special ways, including Royal Henderson, Eli White, Carol Mitchell, Ed and Yuko Hays and the many who served as judges.
George Figdor and Melissa Aronson
Haines People for Peace