Six from Darien are Peace Mentors
Darien Elementary is home to six Peace Mentors, who were recognized on Monday, Jan. 16 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day — on the Gateway Technical College Kenosha campus.
Recognized were:
5th graders:
- Erwin Correa
- Emily Lock
- Xavier Arizola
- Nathan Castillo Cano
4th graders:
- Brian Deschner
- Jadyn Love
The recognition came at the college’s 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, titled “The King In You.” The event featured state Representative David Bowen (D-Milwaukee) as the keynote speaker.
Due to the icy weather, few Darien students attended the ceremony, but they will receive certificates recognizing their achievement. The certificates say the students are recognized for their “humanitarian acts to sustain Equality, Freedom, Justice and Peace.”
Here’s what it means to be a Peace Mentor:
- A student that is a positive role model to his or her peers.
- A student that actively helps to create a peaceful classroom and learning environment by listening and helping others follow the classroom and school rules.
- A student that shows kindness, caring and compassion for others, even when it is not easy.
- A student that may help to resolve a conflict with his/her peers without violence or put-downs.
- A student that practices inclusion and a sense of belonging to everyone, regardless of their differences.
- A student that makes the right choice even when no one is looking.
- A student that embraces the importance of being part of a valuable team and acts in such ways that insures the success of everyone on the team.
Other Peace Mentor awards were given out to elementary, middle and high school students in other schools in Walworth, Racine and Kenosha counties.
Peace Learning Circles is a non-profit organization that teaches values, peace building and conflict resolution skills to youth and adults. PLC establishes safe ways to deal with conflicts and differences, without violence. Started in 2006, PLC has had over 4,400 students participate in our program from 20 elementary schools in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties.