Harold Schnitzer Spirit of Unity
Peace Leadership Award
Our Institute cares about students.
Our Educating for Peace program began in 2001 with the 10,000 student Dalai lama Youth Summit and we have been working in the schools since then. Each year the Spirit of Unity Award which originated with Harold Schnitzer, one of Oregon’s foremost humanitarians, is given to Elementary, Middle & High School Peace, Human Rights, Conflict Resolution Clubs at Oregon schools and community colleges for the outstanding work of their students in initiating peace and service projects in their schools and their communities-to make our world both a safer and a better place for all. All students who apply to the Wholistic Peace Institute and are selected to receive this award are invited to attend a ceremony where they have an opportunity to present their peace project idea and to receive their school’s prize and certificate from a Nobel Peace Laureate winner. However any student is welcome to attend this ceremony and meet a Nobel Peace Laureate. Thousands of educators and students have benefited from this prize. Most of the over 150 schools continue their successful activities that help to cultivate a culture of peace because of the Institute’s work with the Spirit of Unity program. See the listing of winning schools and the projects or clubs which they are pursuing in Oregon.
Earn A $500 Grant Today Spirit of Unity To apply, provide the information listed below via email to: educatingforpeace1@gmail.com no later than September 15, 2022. To Help Ongoing or Future Student Activities In These Areas:
- Using Non-violent Means to Restore Justice – Civil Rights Movement Martin Luther King, John Lewis, Andrew J. Young
- Nobel Peace Laureates as Leadership Models
- Conflict Resolution or Peer Mediation
- Understanding Racism and White Fragility
- Promoting Universal Human Rights and Civil Rights
- Taking Steps to Reduce School Violence
- New ideas for social justice, that increase peace of mind and mental health, or that embrace diversity and inclusion
Educating for Peace, the Wholistic Peace Institute is offering the Harold Schnitzer Spirit of Unity Awards for the 13th consecutive year through a grant provided by Jordan, Harold & Arlene Schnitzer to our Student Peace Education & Leadership Program. Applications for Student peace projects that focus on ways to “stop the killing” and embrace peace or Nobel Peace winners as leadership models (eg., Muhammad Yunus, Elie Wiesel, Simon Perez, President Obama, Mother Teresa, President Jimmy Carter, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Physicians for Social Responsibility, Amnesty International, International Red Cross). Past winners of this award include projects on stopping human trafficking, climate action, student peer mediation or peace advocacy, humanitarian service projects local or abroad. New ideas for social justice, that increase peace of mind and mental health, or that embrace diversity and inclusion are welcome.
APPLICANT/CONTACT INFORMATION
- Name of The School (Applicant) & School Mailing Address
- Teacher & School Contact Information:
- Teacher Name & Phone: Work Phone; Cell Phone; FAX; Email.
- Student Name and Contact Information for the Student Peace Leader(s)
PROJECT INFORMATION
- Specific Name of the Project or Club (Could Also Be A New Club You Start During The 2021/2022 School Year)
- Purpose of the Project & What Goals Your Project Intends to Accomplish
- Budget for Your Project (Specify General Expense Categories – Printing, Event Costs, Materials, etc.)
- For Existing Programs: When Did It Start? How Many Students Are Involved? Please provide some photos or a brief video.
- For New Programs: How Many Students Will Be Involved? Will It Last More Than One School Year?
- What Will Be Your Final Product/Program/Report or Event? How Will You Evaluate Your Peace-making Effectiveness?
- Award Winners Will Present their Winning Idea in a Virtual Award Ceremony to a Public Audience
SUBMIT BY SEPTEMBER 15th TO:
Nancy Spanovich Executive Director; WPI | PO Box 597 West Linn, Oregon 97068| by email to: educatingforpeace1@gmail.com
SEEKING NOMINATIONS for PEACE EDUCATOR of the YEAR –
Previous Winners – for their peace building, actively pursuing peace as an educator
Joel Sebastian, PhD; Sharon LaCroix (former Oregon First Lady); Tony Crawford; Jennifer Turner; Kate Bowles Shively
OUR NOBEL PEACE LAUREATE PARTNERS:
- President Kim Dae-jung (2000);
- President Lech Walesa (1983);
- President Oscar Arias Sanchez (1987);
- President F. W. De Klerk (1993);
- President Jimmy Carter (2002);
- The 14th Dalai Lama (1989);
- Al Gore (2007);
- Betty Williams (1976);
- Adolfo Perez Esquivel (1980);
- Jody Williams (1997);
- Amnesty (1977);
- Physicians for Social Responsibility (1985);
- European Union (2012)
The Most Recent winners in the Spirit of Unity grant were from Metro area, Central Oregon and the Coast — all middle and high schools registered in Oregon are eligible with a “student inspired” proposal.
“Bringing a Nobel Peace Laureate and other top speakers into the school really sticks with kids – they learn how to use their voice to affect justice and that’s a really meaningful thing” Mr. Joel Sebastian, Principal of Athey Creek Middle School and 2019 Peace Educator of the Year
- Madison High School, Portland, Oregon – Park Justice at the Front of the School, Brady Bennon, Specialist on Educationg and Student Leadership
- Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby Oregon Multi-faceted Peace Education Programs Builder’s Club and Student Peace Club; Jennifer Turner, Principal,
- Blanchet Catholic School, Salem, Oregon G.O.S.P.E.L. Go Out Spreading Peace Empowering Love, Toni Nanneman
- Cascadia Charter School, Milwaukie, Oregon The Peace Game
- Delphian School , Sheridan, Oregon Youth for Human Rights Club, Linda Siegel
- Leslie Middle School, Salem, Oregon Leslie Middle School Peace Club, Pete Teller, Counselor
- Portland Jewish Academy Portland, Oregon Tiny Homes Project, Elana Cohn-Rozansky, Service Learning Coordinator
- St. Andrew Catholic Religious Education, Portland, Oregon Year of Mercy, Works for Peace and Justice, Jessica Chapman, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- St Mary’s Academy, Portland, Oregon for the Youth Ending Slavery Program, Maria Fleming and Human Rights Club
- Waldport High School, Waldport, Oregon Waldport High School Peace Club, Alexandra Brown and Abbey Krups
- West Albany High School, Albany, Oregon Model United Nations Club, June Morris, History Teacher
Overview of Educating for Peace – Harold Schnitzer Spirit of Unity Awards
2009 Spirit of Unity Award Recipients
- Interfaith Peace Leadership, Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Neveh Shalom, Portland, OR
- Interfaith Peace Leadership, Rev. Rodney Page, Oregon Ecumenical Ministries, Portland, OR
- Interfaith Peace Leadership, Frank Afranji, Palestinian & Vice President at PGE, Portland, OR
2010 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Ackerman Student Peace Advocates Club, Ackerman Middle School, Canby, OR
- Connecting with the Elderly & Under-Visited Program, Fr. Bernard Youth Center, Mt. Angel, OR
- Peace Village School, Eugene, OR
- Rotary International District 5100 Youth Exchange, Portland, OR
- Bahai Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, Beaverton, OR
- Children’s Peace Fair, St. Andrew’s Church, Portland, OR
- Youth for Human Rights, Delphian School, Sheridan, OR
- Diversity Committee, Skyview High School, Vancouver, WA
- Portland International Community School (PICS), Portland, OR
2011 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Elderly & Under-Visited Program, Fr. Bernard Youth Center, Mt. Angel, OR
- Perrydale Peace Leaders, Perrydale High School, Amity, OR
- Family Group Program, St. Cecilia School, Beaverton, OR
- Peace Village Charter High School Program, Eugene, OR
- Youth Advocates for Peace, West Linn High School, West Linn, OR
- Students for Change, West Salem High School, Salem, OR
- Lasallian Youth Ministry Program, De La Salle No Catholic High School, Portland, OR
- Nobel Peace Laureate Project, Eugene, OR
- Youth for Human Rights Club, Delphian School, Beaverton, OR
- Peace Advocacy Program, Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR
2012 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Franklin High School Peer Mediation Program
- Jesuit High School Social Justice Summit
- West Salem High School Students for Change
- Athey Creek Middle School Nobel Peace Laureate Program
- Gang Prevention Program of the Russian Youth Leadership Initiative (Portland Police Co-Sponsor – Anti Gang Program)
- Human Rights Program of the Delphian School
- Madison High School Peace Studies & Peer Mediation Program
- St. Mary’s Academy: Poverty Awareness Day
- St. Mary’s Academy: Youth Ending Slavery
- Baker Prairie Middle School Jr. Nobel Peace Laureate Awards (SPA)
- Embrace Diversity-Connecting Youth & Community; Fr Bernard Youth Center
- Eugene Nobel Peace Laureate Educational Curriculum
- Pleasant Hill High School; Impact Festival to Reduce Community Poverty
- Classroom Law Project
- Blanchet Catholic High School; Blanche Buddies
2013 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Portland Peace Prize, Madison High School, Portland, OR
- Operation Starfish, Cascade Heights Public Charter School, Clackamas, OR
- Impact Festival, Pleasant Hill High School, Pleasant Hill, OR
- Leadership Education through Athletic Participation African Youth and Community Organization (AYCO), David Douglas High School, Portland, OR (Portland Police Co-Sponsor – Anti Gang Program)
- One Billion Rising Flash Mob Dance, Human Rights Club, St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, OR
- Poverty Awareness Day, Poverty Awareness Committee, St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, OR
- Social Justice Summit, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory High School, Portland, OR
- Zero-Anti-bullying Program, Leslie Middle School, Salem, OR
- Peace Club, Rosemont Ridge Middle School, West Linn – Wilsonville
- Workshop & Program on Educating Educators to Educate for Peace, Concordia University – College of Education
- Peace Club, Lincoln High School Peace Club, Portland, OR
- Annual Conference, Russian Speaking Youth Leadership Initiative (Portland Police Co-Sponsor – Anti Gang Program)
- Human Rights Club, International Delphian School
- Student Jonathan Bray-Catlin Gabel School – Honorable Mention
- Peace Village Charter High School Program, Eugene, OR
2014 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Athey Creek Middle School Natural Helpers
- Faubion Middle School Peace for Art
- Stafford Primary School Peace Club
- Ms. Sharon LA Croix, community partner, former First Lady, developer of the 2001 Dalai Lama Youth Summit
- Tony Crawford, Middle School Teacher, Peace Educator of the Year
2015 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR Multi-faceted Peace Education Programs Jennifer Turner; Carrie Stewart; Isabeau Waia’u Walker; Lynn Olsen
- Fr. Bernard Youth Center, Mt. Angel, OR
- Skyline School, Portland, OR
- Leslie Middle School, Salem, OR
- PK-8 Faubion Middle School, Portland, OR
- St. Andrews Catholic Religious Education Portland, OR
- Jesuit High School, Portland, OR
- Human Rights Club, Delphian School, Sheridan, OR
- Rosemont Ridge Middle School, West Linn, OR
- Peace Educator of the Year Award, Ms. Jennifer Turner, Principal, Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR
2016 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR Multi-faceted Peace Education Programs Jennifer Turner; Carrie Stewart; Isabeau Waia’u Walker; Lynn Olsen
- G.O.S.P.E.L., Blanchet Catholic School, Salem, OR
- Youth Ending Slavery & Human Rights Club, St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, OR
- Faubion Peace Club, Faubion K-8 School, Portland, OR
- St. Andrews Catholic Religious Education, Portland, OR
- Jesuit High School, Portland, OR
- Human Rights Club, Delphian School, Sheridan, OR
2017 Spirit of Unity Student Award Recipients
- Peace Club, Leslie Middle School, Salem, OR
- Multi-faceted Peace Education, Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby, OR
- 7th Grade Peace Club, G.O.S.P.E.L., Blanchet Catholic School, Salem, OR
- Youth Ending Slavery & Human Rights Club, St. Mary’s Academy, Portland, OR
- Faubion Peace Club, Faubion K-8 School, Portland, OR
- Jesuit High School, Portland, OR
- Natural Helpers Club, Athey Creek Middle School, Tualatin, OR
- Pete Teller, Peace Educator of the Year Award, Counselor, Leslie Middle School
2018 Spirit of Unity Award Recipients
- Baker Prairie Middle School, Canby Oregon Multi-faceted Peace Education Programs Builder’s Club and Student Peace Club; Jennifer Turner, Principal; Lynn Olson, Counselor; and Carrie Stewart, ELA
- Blanchet Catholic School, Salem, Oregon G.O.S.P.E.L. Go Out Spreading Peace Empowering Love, Danielle Wise, Campus Minister and Teacher
- Delphian School , Sheridan, Oregon Delphian Youth for Human Rights Club, John Glenski, Principal
- Faubion Middle School, Portland, Oregon Faubion Middle School Peace Club, Claire LePoma, Counselor
- Jesuit High School, Portland, Oregon Ignatian Family Teach in for Justice, Scott Powers, Director of Christian Service
- St. Andrew Catholic Religious Education, Portland, Oregon Year of Mercy, Works for Peace and Justice, Jessica Chapman, Coordinator of Youth Ministry
- St Mary’s Academy, Portland, Oregon for the Youth Ending Slavery Program, Maria Fleming
Heart of Gold Awards
Kathy Larson, Claus Nobel, Gary Spanovich, Ed Kawasaki, Lynn Fuchigami
Heart of Gold Recipients; Ray Jubitz, Kathy Larson, Claus Noble, Ed Kawasaki with the Institutes Director
2016 Heart of Gold Ceremony for Arlene Schnitzer. Attended by Gary Spanovich, Nancy Spanovich, Celeste Rose, Rabbi Stampher, Barb Hall
2019 – Ms. Claire Sarnowski for her dedication to building bridges of peace through friendship with Holocaust survivor AlterWiener and for pressing the Oregon State Legislature to include teaching about the Holocaust and other genocide as part of K-12 standard cirriculum
2018 – Mr. John Larson, Oregon Education Association President received the award for his agency’s leadership in Oregon to serve the under-served, create more just and equitable agreements for educators and within Oregon Schools
2017 – Mr. Ed Kawasaki was honored for his tireless work, with schools in sharing his experience of being an atom bomb survivor and for peaceful renunciation of the use of nuclear weapons
2016 – Arlene Schnitzer was honored for her dedication to all cultures through her genreous support of the arts
2015 – Neal Keny-Guyer, CEO of Mercy Corps leads a global peacemaking organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible and travels the world tirelessly for humanitarian service and peace.
2014 – Kathy Larson; Lee Larson; Ray Jubitz for humanitarian and peace service over many years.
2013 – Gary Davis Of Night watch and Barb Eldridge of Dress for Success for their work for many years for the poor, the marginalized and the homeless.
2012 – Claes Nobel for his environmental stewardship, earth ethics, and youth leadership and his commitment and faith that one person can make a difference in the world
2011 – President James Kim for his courage and commitment for starting new Universities in both China and North Korea
2010 – Madame Lee Hee-ho former first lady of South Korea and President of the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center for his tireless work over a lifetime for world peace
2009 – Aaron Meyer, violinist, composer, music educator and performer for his commitment to peace service
2008 – President & 2000 Nobel Peace Prizewinner Kim Dae-jung for his world peace and human rights work at great personal cost and danger to his own life; having endured three years on death row; a number of assassination attempts; and who has been recognized as bringing democracy to South Korea
2007 – Universal Peace Federation for their great heart of generosity; their creativity toward world peace; their consistent message of peace; and their progress of opening the first place of religious worship in North Korea
2006 – Rabbi Arik W. Ascherman for his humanitarian service & human rights work in the Middle East in the face of great personal danger
2005 – Reverend Phillip J. Buck for his humanitarian service & human rights work in Asia in the face of great personal danger