The Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County was begun in 2006 to encourage everyone to think more about peace as both a means and an end, and to recognize young people who work as peacemakers.

We started with one school (Herndon High School) and one sponsor (Herndon Friends Meeting) and gradually expanded from there. In 2013, for the first time, it was offered to every public high school in Fairfax County. One private school is also included. We currently have fifteen sponsoring organizations (and would welcome more!)

Intentional peacemaking is vital in our world, and students active in the pursuit of peace should be encouraged in every way possible. The sponsors, family, and friends celebrate the accomplishments of the recipients at a public reception in early March. The award consists of a monetary gift for each recipient and for a peace-focused charity of his or her choice, and a framed certificate, generally presented at each participating school’s annual awards ceremony. Press releases are sent to school and area newspapers and online news providers.

The recipients chosen by the schools generally have in common a desire to bring kindness into the world around them, whether within their schools, their community, or on a larger scale. They see conflict and injustice and respond with creative problem solving. Their specific goals and methods may or may not reflect the views of the volunteers or sponsors of the Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County, but we celebrate their intention to seek the peaceful resolution of challenging issues.

Our Facebook page: “Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County”

Our Facebook group for recipients: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fairfaxstudentpeaceawards/

Our Instagram account: @fairfaxstudentpeaceawards