Mount Diablo Peace Center

Peace through Art & Writing Challenge—2009

First Prize
Daniel Salcedo, Liberty High School, Brentwood

The Peace Center held its twelfth annual dinner for the winners in its “Peace through Art and Writing Challenge.” Over 70 middle school and high school winners and their families were treated to dinner at the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church on May 2nd. The area was transformed by beautiful flower baskets on the purple tablecloths and by the art work displayed all around the room. El Balazo Restaurant, Whole Foods, Safeway and Peace Center volunteers donated the food for the dinner. The guests were treated to beautiful art work and readings of the essays and poems that won the contest. The challenge winners were awarded cash prizes contributed by the Schmidt Family, the George Miller Youth Fund, David and Barbara Johnson, Mountain Camp II inc., and Peace Center Donors.

The students were asked to write or create art on the following topic:

President Obama inspires hope, calls for change, and advocates unity of all people. With these ideals in mind, if you were the President, what measures would you implement to advance world peace?

Click here for the 2009 Contest flyer

Click here for names of High School winners in all categories.

Click here for names of Middle School winners in all categories.

View the winners who submitted their work for publication on the web:

High School:

Click here for Second place "Creative Writing": Joshua Bulos of Acalanes High School.

Second place "Essay": Devin Finzer, of Miramonte High School

Click here for "Art Awards"

Middle School:

Click here for Second place "Creative Writing": Ekkalux Nguyen of Riverview Middle School.

Click here First place "Essay": Ida Barabi of Doris Eaton Middle School

Click here for "Art Awards"

The Peace Center will be selling a Peace Calendar by early fall, featuring some of the art works contributed by these talented students.