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Ross Sheppard students awarded 2012 YMCA Peace Medal

Wed, 5 Dec, 2012

The annual YMCA Peace Medallions honour youth and adults from all walks of life who commit their time to advancing peace and unity in their own communities, and sometimes around the world. Dylan was awarded the “Youth Local Peace Initiative,” while Hannah was awarded the “Adult Local Peace Initiative.”

Dylan mentors peers and younger participants in the Step Up & Step In project aimed at reducing violence in the community. Dylan, a rapper and poet who encourages youth to write their own socially conscious lyrics, writes and performs with The Definitive band to spread a message of peace and good citizenship. He is also a youth leader and has worked with organizations such as Bent Arrow, Ihuman, Wichitow in Circle of Shared Responsibilities and Poundmakers Lodge.

While in high school, Hannah planned events and designed resources for the Edmonton GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) Leadership Summit. She presented to the school board and community members on the LGBT community. Hannah offered opinions, voiced concerns. predicted challenges, brainstormed solutions and provided input for policy implementation to the Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (SOGI) advisory committee. This summer, Hannah and a friend organized a public vigil to bring awareness and to honour a lesbian couple in Texas who were brutally shot as a result of bias and bigotry.