Recognizing the 2024 Fairfax County Student Peace Award Recipients

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 2024 Fairfax County Student Peace Awards.

The Fairfax County Stdent Peace Awards began with one high school in 2006 to encourage high school-aged students to think about peace as both a means and an end, and to recognize young people who work as peacemakers. By 2013, the program was being offered in every public high school in Fairfax County, as well as in many private schools.

Participating high schools choose one Junior or Senior, or one student group active in promoting peace or removing the causes of conflict. Examples of outreach include committing to peace by engaging in activities that strive to end conflict, either locally or globally, promoting the understanding of divisive issues and situations to bridge differences, and working to resolve conflicts among students or members of the community who feel isolated or alienated.

I am pleased to include in the Record the names of this year's Student Peace Award winners:

Husna Basiri, Annandale High School

Level the Field, Centreville High School

Ria Jakhete, Chantilly High School

Edison Minds Matter, Edison High School

Tranh Dinh, Fairfax High School

Hiena Hailemariam, Falls Church High School

Ajanae Elise Massenburg, Hayfield Secondary School

Susy Reyes, Herndon High School

Dalya Paka, Justice High School

Jenna Naffa, King Abdullah Academy (KAA)

Mackenzie Craig, Lake Braddock Secondary School

Lina Liakakos, Langley High School

Daniel J. Gonzales, John. R. Lewis High School

Sophie Massoudi, Madison High School

Aymar Ahmed, Marshall High School

Kaiya Amani Williams, McLean High School

Phillip Ha, Mount Vernon High School

Mountain View Mirror, Mountain View High School

Jason Saenz-Hernandez, Quander Road School

Samantha Katz, Robinson Secondary School

Eden Aklog, South County High School

Virginia Banton, South Lakes High School

Namaste, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

Eli Kopp, West Potomac High School

Roeen Zahid, West Springfield High School

Westfield Student Ambassadors, Westfield High School

National Art Honor Society, Woodson High School

Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these young people are the building blocks of a more peaceful and tolerant world. I commend them on their efforts and dedication and ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating each award recipient and thanking them as well as Fairfax County Public School System and sponsor organizations for all they have done for our community.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source