The Scholarship Committee of the Pikes Peak Justice & Peace Commission awards at least one $500 Justice & Peace Scholarship in May of each year to deserving high school juniors and seniors. The scholarships are given to students who demonstrate a commitment to peaceful conflict resolution, the creation of social justice, environmental activism, and/or the promotion of nonviolence as alternative solutions. The scholarship may be used to continue community activities and/or further their education.

Our 2013 Peace Scholars were Emma Brachtenbach (Manitou Springs High School) and Tessa Travis (Fountain-Fort Carson High School). The two young women were honored at a Cinco de Mayo-themed dinner party last May.

The PPJPC, a local grassroots organization, has been facilitating the growth, awareness, and understanding of social justice, environmental activism, peaceful resolution and nonviolence for more than 30 years. Since 1999, we have awarded scholarships to 30 enthusiastic, dedicated and thoughtful young activists for their work in promoting a variety of progressive causes such as organizing a teen unity event, establishing a book club to bridge racial differences, conflict resolution mentoring with junior high students, promoting a gay/straight alliance and peace activism.

Print out and mail the Peace Scholarship Application to the PPJPC at 332 W. Bijou St., Suite 102, Colorado Spring, CO 80905. For more information, contact Steve atdirector@ppjpc.org. To make a donation to the 2013 fund, follow this link to our Join page and scroll down to the “Make Payment” button.

Past Peace Scholars:

2012: Siena Palos (Palmer HS) and Kate Draeger (Pines Creek HS)

2011 – Mackenzie Buckmilller (Manitou Springs HS), Maria Buckmilller (Manitou Springs HS), Ryana Holt (Palmer HS), Alexa Jakusovszky (St. Mary HS), Shannon Triplett (Manitou Springs HS)

2010 – Brian Buckley (Palmer HS, Wesleyan Univ.)

2009 – Briana Frenchmore (Palmer HS, Pacific Lutheran Univ.)

2008 – Sendi Peregrino (Pueblo East HS, Colorado College)

2007 – Andrew Flynn (Palmer HS, Macalester College), Ryan Romero (Central HS)

2006 – Courtney-Rose Harris (Palmer HS, Colorado College), Lindsey Foat (Cheyenne Mountain HS,
Univ. of Missouri)

2005 – Kate Quillin (Manitou Springs HS, Colorado State University), Amanda Sanchez (Manitou Springs HS, Pikes Peak Community College)

2004 – Morgan Weinert (Lewis-Palmer HS), Jenna Reed (Manitou Springs HS)

2003 – Michael Jelinek (St. Mary HS), James Murphy (Pine Creek HS)

2002 – Leah Zajac (Tesla), Thor Matuschka (Tesla)

2001 – Christopher Brestler (Fountain-Ft. Carson HS), Benjamin Everett (Palmer HS)

2000 – Adrian Davis (Falcon HS), Jamillah Allen (Widefield HS)

1999 – Arema Cleveland (Air Academy HS), Tina Troyer (Harrison HS)