2012-2013: Nicholas (Niko) Velkoff, Senior

Niko was selected by Ken Mussen, Spanish Teacher in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, who says, “His work with the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) and with anti-bullying in general more than qualify him for this award. He is personally committed to the idea of equality for all.”

As president of his school’s GSA, Niko organizes and plans events, runs meetings, teaches informative courses, and spreads awareness about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community. For the last three years Niko organized the ‘Day of Silence’, where students remain silent throughout the day to bring attention to the plight of LGBT people. He promotes this day through social media sites, school announcements, posters, flyers, e-mails, and word of mouth. In January, Niko ran a successful “No Name Calling Week’, sponsored by GSA in partnership with the Peer Mediation organization, the Student Government, and the Leadership class of his school.

Niko is also active in GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, & Straight Education Network), a national organization dedicated to achieving fair treatment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. He is a member of the Northern Virginia Chapter’s Jump-Start Team, comprised of students from approximately twenty area schools who work collectively to promote equality and change.

Niko points out that “there is no peace without acceptance, equality, and respect for everyone. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered students face some of the worst discrimination and intolerance in high schools.” GLSEN found through their 2011 survey that about 80% of these students had experienced harassment at school the previous year. Niko summarizes, “I stand up for peers and others who are being bullied or mistreated, and I like to think I am someone that all students can talk to about their problems.”

2013-2014: Nora Elshiekh, Senior

Social Studies teacher, Cait Harris, says that Nora Elshiekh embodies the aspects of both Fairfax County Public Schools' and Mount Vernon High School's mission and vision that speak to the importance of helping students develop into global citizens. With only five days to prepare to leave her home country of Egypt, Nora landed in her new school half-way around the world and three-fourths of the way through her junior year. Much of her family remains in Egypt, a country she hopes will overcome its many difficulties and see the promises of the ‘Arab Spring’ fulfilled.

Taking advantage of as many activities and challenging courses as possible, Nora is now a senior whose presence encourages other students to develop their appreciation for foreign cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Ms. Harris, says that during current events discussions, Nora articulately shares her family's opinions on the complex political situation in Egypt, and her peers can, in turn, share their views with her. Her mature ability to understand the varying viewpoints that arise in class lead her to resolve conflict and foster an international sense in the classroom.

Recognizing that community extends beyond the classroom, Nora volunteers at the Virginia Hospital Center and is the Treasurer of the Student Government Association. A member of Mt. Vernon's Multicultural Group, she helped to make the 2013 annual Multicultural Day a success. "We saw clothing in that (international) fashion show that many of us had never seen before!" she marveled. Ms. Harris summarizes, "Nora is a brilliant example of not only the ideal, hard-working, dedicated, and respectful student, but the love and appreciation she has for differences around her are truly inspiring not only to her classmates but to adults that she encounters as well."

2014-2015: Nimra Bilal, Senior

Teacher Melinda Bloomquist says, “Nimra Bilal is a trained Peer Mediator, and she excelled in the conflict resolution course.” As part of her peer mediation class, Nimra participates in the annual anti-bullying awareness spirit week. The class members created pledges that students could sign, taking an oath not to bully anyone. These pledges were then hung around the cafeteria so that others could see them and participate in the anti-bullying movement.

After completing this course, Nimra attended a peer mediation seminar at George Mason University where she practiced for real-life situations. As a Certified Peer Mediator, Nimra puts her training to use as she deals with miscommunication problems and disputes among friends.

Nimra is currently enrolled in a leadership class intended to build character and to show positive ways for students to use their energy. Ms. Bloomquist describes her as a “model student” and summarizes that “Nimra continues to spread peace and positivity.”

Nimra has been a member of the Student Government Association for two years. She is currently the SGA Sunshine Chair on the Executive Board, charged with all things celebratory, including keeping track of birthdays.

After graduation, Nimra plans to go to college and eventually medical school so that she can serve the public as a pediatrician.

2015-2016: Trevor Christensen, Senior

Trevor Christensen, who has enlisted in the JROTC program, is seen by his instructor, Col. Simkins-Mullins, retired, as someone who has shown many examples of working toward unity and peace at Mount Vernon. He says, “Trevor is selfless, conscientious, and fosters respect, teamwork and excellence…He goes out of his way to assist others. He serves as an outstanding role model for students and teachers alike.”

Counselor Mary McAlevy describes one simple incident that was exemplary of the kind of caring, peace-making person Trevor is. “Trevor arrived at my office door with another student, a sophomore. Trevor said he observed the student in the hallway looking distressed. Rather than continuing on to class, Trevor approached him and asked if everything was all right. The younger student explained that he was upset by a confrontation with another student. After assessing the situation, Trevor immediately sought the intervention of a trusted adult.”

Trevor has traveled from Paris to the Dominican Republic and has a keen interest in other cultures both at home and abroad. He says that “respect is a two-way street, and you always have to do your best to understand rather than to be understood. Communication is vital for resolving conflicts; you need to explain, respect, listen, and compromise to work to build a bridge. Talking it out is key.” He describes one example of understanding the needs of others during an adventure in the back streets of the Dominican Republic. He came upon a poor, young boy living in a scrap metal house. In a simple, almost instinctive, gesture he gave the boy his bottle of Gatorade.

He admits there is a tension between his intended military career and his peace activities. However, he also sees that he will be more exposed to conflict, and where better can a conflict-resolver hone his skills and put them to use?

2016-2017: Yosaph Boku, Senior

Yosaph Boku believes that the key to peace is understanding and that there is nothing more powerful in achieving it than expressing and sharing love. Yosaph learned from his friend with special needs, whom he helps every morning to get ready for school, that people respond better to expressions of love and being valued then they do to impatience and authority.

Saying “You must get ready” generated hostility, whereas starting with “Friend, I need a hug today” inspired cooperation. To Yosaph, this demonstrates Born in Ethiopia and living with his siblings away from his parents, Yosaph understands well the issues of immigrants. One of his role models is a fellow countryman who helps young immigrant boys settle in this country by providing shelter, food, clothing, and the guiding hand of a mentor.

After being part of an ESL program in his community, Yosaph designed and implemented a program with a fellow student to teach computer skills to disadvantaged youth and adults in his community. Selected for the gifted and talented young scholars program, he has spoken extensively on the importance of these programs. He has also addressed groups of counselors, offering suggestions on ways to encourage more minority students to avail themselves of opportunities for advanced classes. Some of these talks are shown on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw4TFJKNZH8).

Yosaph participated in the Virginia Governor School and Boys State, where he was elected Governor. He hopes to become a doctor and work with Doctors without Borders program. He summarizes, “The real fountain of youth is service, because you live on through the person’s life you save.”

2017-2018: Scarlett Reyes, Junior

Scarlett Reyes is a leader in her local and international chapter of Christian Relief Services (CRS), an organization that aids families in the US and throughout the world with local projects for clean water, housing, clothing, medical assistance, education, and safe havens against violence. She devoted her spring break last year to helping build clean water wells in Zambia.

Locally, Scarlett interned on CRS Safe Places projects for victims of domestic violence.

2018-2019: Burhan Ahmed, Senior

Burhan Ahmed is a three-time Presidential Volunteer Service Award winner for his leadership of Stony Brook Junior Volunteers. The organization, part of the Community Preservation and Development Corporation, helps children from kindergarten through seventh grade who are from low-income families in the Stony Brook neighborhood. For the past three years Burhan ran the athletics program, leading activities such as soccer, basketball, and a mini-Olympics. As part of the program, his group performs volunteer activities such as creek and community park clean-ups, food drives, and toy collections. They have won top honors each year.

Burhan seeks to help the children learn cooperation, and he provides opportunities for them to bond with each other and to have fun. He says he emphasizes the importance of thought and education. He feels it’s important to show children the joy of volunteering and says, “Peace and community go hand in hand.” Burhan has logged more than 400 hours of volunteer work and he inspired his younger brother to also become an active volunteer. (See a YouTube video on how Stony Brook Junior Volunteers helped clean up Little Hunting Creek: https://youtu.be/0g0ja21YceU.)

Having immigrated to the U.S. from Pakistan when he was three years old, Burhan feels fortunate to be here. He believes that peace in the world is achieved by being grateful and willing to sacrifice for the greater good. “Peace is unity,” Burhan said. “The community of Stony Brook Junior Volunteers demonstrates that.”

2019-2020: Hannah Gyekye, Senior

For the past four years, Hannah Gyekye has been the originating, motivating, and managing force behind the Mount Vernon chapter of A Place to Stand / A Place to Eat, (https://aplacetostand.org/a-place-to-eat/), an organization dedicated to eradicating homelessness and hunger. She described how she was inspired by a classmate who came to her with tears in her eyes because she had no place to stay and no food to eat. She said that this was when she learned that people often don’t show what’s really going on and how they need help.

Hannah is the president of her school’s chapter, which has grown to 20 student volunteers who provide meals for 80 to 100 students each week. Every Monday, Hannah and the other volunteers put together meal packages for fellow students in need. While most of the food comes from local donors, some of it is from the school garden, where Hannah also volunteers.

Hannah says she loves to cook, and that too inspires her to think of those who cannot have a decent meal. Although she knows it may sound simplistic, she said that her love of cooking tells her that sometimes a well-cooked meal goes a long way to solving the day’s problems and keeping the peace.

Peace, says Hanna, is not only about not hurting people and loving them, but also working to give them what they need. It’s this motivation and her interest in the science of the human body that has inspired her to study child development and to become a nurse. She has a long-term goal of opening a healthcare center and orphanage in her family’s native home in Ghana, which is the source of much of her inspiration.