For several years, the Peace Committee of Sandy Spring Friends Meeting has sponsored an award program for high school seniors which other monthly meetings might wish to emulate. Bethesda Meeting has already done so. The Sandy Spring Meeting wanted to spread the message of peace after Lee Stern’s death, to honor the memory of a man who worked for peace and a better world all of his life. Each year ten area high schools are contacted and encouraged to choose one senior who has demonstrated an ability to create a peaceful atmosphere at his or her school. At the annual award ceremony of each school the chosen student receives a certificate indicating his/her peaceful contribution, a $100 check from the Meeting, and a short biography of Lee’s life work.

At the award ceremonies, many large scholarships are presented by community groups and the military. Our small, gentle award seems like a little rosebud coming out of the commercial and militaristic milieu. Some of the students have sent us grateful, caring notes.

Recently Bethesda Meeting has joined our effort by providing three awards to be presented at high schools in their area. Other Meetings may wish to honor the memory of a worker for peace from their own Meeting by providing awards at schools in their areas.

At Sandy Spring, money for the awards is raised by an annual rummage sale held at the same time as the Young Friends Book Sale in November. We are fortunate to have a Meeting staff person who handles all the paper work and contact with the schools.

Submitted by Ruth Stern,
member Sandy Spring Friends Meeting Peace Committee