Student Peace Advocates
Creating World Peace, One School at a Time.

The Ackerman Middle School Peace Program is rising as the model program of its kind.  Over the past year Ackerman students have implemented a number of peace promotion projects.  Several of these efforts have resulted in positive recognition for our students and our school.

Student Peace Advocates originated in the Team Orion Geography classroom as students prepared for the inaugural World Peace Conference held in Portland, Oregon.  The influence of five Nobel Peace Prize winners present for the conference, including The Dalai Lama, inspired students to study the works of other peace makers and take action on their own.  Acting on the words of Nobel Laureate Betty Williams, Team Orion students have chosen to "Think globally, but act locally, to create world peace."

Projects have included...

Support of the inaugural World Peace Conference.
Exchange of letters with Tibetan refugees living in India.
Recognition of the Season For Non-Violence.
Promotion of “Hands Are Not For Hurting.”
Presentation at the Oregon fall Social Studies conference.
Production of “A Message of Peace” video tape and curriculum packet distributed to all middle schools and high schools throughout Oregon.
Guest speaking at several community civic groups such as Rotary and Kiwanis.
Presentations at the Canby School Board.
Inclusion in Canby School District staff inservice training.
Participation in panel discussion with Oscar Arias.
Inclusion in the inaugural “One Day of Peace” event.
Keynote address at the Oregon spring Social Studies conference.
Offered advisories to U.S. Ambassadors to resolve Israeli / Palestinian conflict.
Creation of the Student Peace Advocacy office at AMS.
Creation of the Ackerman Peace Garden.
Creation of the annual Ackerman Peace Prize.

Recognition of the Ackerman Peace Program has included...

Introduction of the AMS Peace Prize winner on the floor of the Oregon Legislature.
Several articles in the Canby Herald newspaper.
Articles in The Oregonian newspaper.
Two feature articles in “OEA Today” magazine.
A featured article in the Oregon Council for the Social Studies newsletter.
Coverage on OCTS television.
Subject of a documentary aired on Clackamas County Cable Access.

Back to Student Peace Advocate page.

Back to Team Orion Geography home page.