Students at Vanden High have started the newest high school PeaceJam Club in Solano County

Founding Vanden PeaceJam students elected officers today for the new club. Hannah Anderson is president; Jessica Greenstreet is Vice-President; Nick Travaglini is Treasurer; Will Ryder is Secretary; Yair Aharon is Activities Chair; Samantha McGraugh and Stephanie Kerr are Publicity Co-chairs; and Jennifer Burns is Historian. Teachers, Mr. Van Buskirk and Mr. Testerman will be the Vanden PeaceJam Club Advisors.

VP Jessica Greenstreet suggested the club choose a theme for the year to focus the club's learning and community service to one main area of need. Sherilyn Henry, president of PeaceJam Solano shared the ten PeaceJam “Global Call to Action” areas of concern This Global Call to Action came about as of the PeaceJam Nobel Peace Laureates including The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, President Oscar Arias, Máiread Corrigan Maguire, Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Prime Minister José Ramos Horta, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel and Betty Williams, along with the founders of the PeaceJam Foundation, Dawn Engle and Ivan Suvanjieff, discussed issues they felt needed immediate action to create true world peace. The Vanden teens will be studying these areas.

The Vanden PeaceJammers will hit the pavement running. The international Program Director of PeaceJam Foundation is visiting next week and many events are planned. Interested parents, teens, educators, politicians, law enforcement, youth services volunteers and business sponsors are invited to meet Dr. Kate Cumbo and hear about the exciting future of PeaceJam Solano. The public is invited to attend “Coffee with Kate” at Starbucks on Friday 11/2, 9 -10:30 AM, 90 Solano Square in Benicia and at Peet’s Coffee on Friday 11/2, 2-3:30 PM, 1380 Holiday Lane, Fairfield. Donors and Volunteers will be honored at a dessert reception Friday evening.

Interested volunteers are invited to become a “Certified PeaceJam Teacher” by attending a 6 hour training on Saturday, 11/3 9:00 – 3 PM at the Fairfield Community Center. The fee is $75.00 and includes lunch. Several scholarships are currently available. Call 707-208-0853 for more information.

Finally, Vanden PeaceJam students are selling tickets to the PeaceJam Peace Contest Awards Dinner on Saturday, November 10th at the Fairfield Community Center. Entries of the Peace Contest will be on display, winners will be announced and $3,000 in prize money will be handed out. Tickets are $5.00 for children and youth; $25.00 for adults. Please call Sherilyn Henry at 707-208-0853 or email at sherilyn@peacejamsolano.org for tickets.