Peace First Prize is Taking Nominations!

Do you know a US resident between ages 8-22 who had done some amazing peace making in their community? The Peace First Prize is looking for applicants for their $25,000 fellowship award to provide young peacemakers the opportunity to pursue their peace project and further their education for two years.

According to the website, "The Peace First Fellowship contributes to the movement Peace First is building through direct programming that builds a collection of youth peacemakers.  The Peace First Fellowship invests in empowering youth who are already catalysts for change, helping to put their work in context and provide the relationships, skills, and knowledge they need to take their peacemaking work to the next level.  The Peace First Fellowship has a unique focus on relationships: among Fellows, between Fellows and Peace First staff, and within the larger Peace First network."

Last year's winners ranged from ages 13-23 and worked on projects related to race, education, LGBT issues, bullying, and disabilities. Students often experienced first-hand different struggles and sought to make change so that other people in similar situations don't have to feel the same way they did. Check out the amazing five winners from 2014 here!

Do you know a girl in your community who has made amazing strides in peacemaking? Nominate her now for the Peace First Prize! Even if she doesn't make it as a finalist there are some great benefits to being an applicant:

• An invitation to join the Community of Peacemakers, a growing, online network of young people around the country who are creating positive social change. 
• A chance for their story to be featured on the Peace First Prize website and/or social media. 
• Entry into a raffle for a chance to donate $100 to the peacemaking organization of their choice (must apply by early application deadline, February 6, 2014).

Nominations are pretty quick (your nominee will be sent an application form after you nominate them), so fill one out now here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/index.php/nominate

Or, work with the girl on her application, which is available here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/index.php/apply

Note for girls applying: Be sure to look at the whole website as well as all of the social media pages and think about what kind of trends you see in what the prize is looking for. Applications are an art in themselves and unfortunately are the gatekeepers to great prizes and awards like these. If you don't get picked, don't be discouraged-- practicing filling out applications is good to do, and a great way to reflect on the great work you're doing in your community and the vision you have for yourself in the future! I suggest teaming up with an adult, such as your troop leader or parent, and having them help you to think about what makes you the best candidate and how to craft your personal story. This is your moment to shine-- don't be intimidated to speak highly and positively about yourself!

Resources for parents, teachers, and troop leaders: The website has some great resources for getting children started on the path to being great peacemakers in their community! Access them here: http://www.peacefirst.org/prize/peacemaking-resources