WDRC Announces the 2016 Peaceful Poetry Youth Contest Winners!
The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center selected the 2016 Peaceful Poetry Youth Contest recipients:
- Robyn J. from Lummi Nation School
- Grace N. from Mount Baker High School
- Haley W. from Mount Baker Middle School
- Millie P. from Bernice Vossbeck Elementary
- Brandon Z. from the Bellingham School District
Over 90 poems were submitted, by K-12 Youth throughout Whatcom County. Development & Outreach Coordinator, Iris Maute-Gibson stated, “The voices were diverse and messages hopeful. The poetry contest was added to the longstanding Peace Builder Awards to ensure that voices of young people were heard as our families, our community, and our country works towards peace.”
Community members can celebrate these young poets as well as Peace Builder Award Recipients at the 14th Annual Peace Builder Awards Gala, Nov. 18th at 5:30pm at Settlemyer Hall.
2016 Peace Builder Award recipients are:
- Lummi Nation
- Bellingham Peace Vigil
- Jeff McKenna, MAD-HOPE
- Brad Lockhart, Bellingham Flag
- Star Park Playground, City of Ferndale
- Eric Brown, Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition
- Rick Qualls, Samish Way Coalition
- Katherine and Sapphire Orlowski
Tickets are $50 and can be purchased until Nov. 8th at whatcomdrc.org, (360) 676-0122, at the WDRC. In addition to awards presentations and poetry contest readings, guests the event includes a chef-inspired dinner, live music, silent auction, and more. Proceeds benefit the WDRC and their mission to provide and promote constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict.