[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE 2025 FAIRFAX COUNTY STUDENT PEACE AWARD RECIPIENTS

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                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2025

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the recipients of the 
2025 Fairfax County Student Peace Awards.
  The Fairfax County Student Peace Awards began with one high school in 
2006 to encourage high school aged students to think about peace as 
both a means and an end, and to recognize young people who work as 
peacemakers. By 2013, the program was being offered to every public 
high school in Fairfax County, as well as in many private schools.
  Participating high schools choose one Junior or Senior, or one 
student group active in promoting peace or removing the causes of 
conflict. Examples of outreach include committing to peace by engaging 
in activities that strive to end conflict, either locally or globally, 
promoting the understanding of divisive issues and situations to bridge 
differences, and working to resolve conflicts among students or members 
of the community who feel isolated or alienated.
  I am pleased to include in the Record the names of this year's 
Student Peace Award winners: Sage Nagle, Annandale High School; Jayden 
Lee, Centreville High School; Nila Elangovan, Chantilly High School; 
Mia Martin-Escandarani, Edison High School; Kiran Ashok, Fairfax High 
School; Shri Bala, Falls Church High School; Ava Saunders and Grace 
Varughese, Hayfield Secondary School; Clarissa Dantes, Herndon High 
School; Muslim Student Association, Justice High School; Essam Jazzar, 
King Abdullah Academy (KAA); Manas Puri, Lake Braddock Secondary 
School; Anniyah Rizvi, Langley High School; Madison McLaughlin, John. 
R. Lewis High School; Hunter Guthrie, Madison High School; Ghalia 
Sakly, Marshall High School; Bushra Ehikhamenor, McLean High School; 
Jennifer Villalobos-Saenz, Mount Vernon High School; Julia DeVera, 
Mountain View High School; Isaac Rodriguez, Oakton High School; 
Jonathan Johnston, Quander Road School; Jasmine Sklarew, Robinson 
Secondary School; Ghazi ``Zizo'' Hanania, South County High School; 
Jahnavi Nandanavanam, South Lakes High School; TJ Send-a-Smile Club, 
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology; Salaiha 
Najeeb, West Potomac High School; Simeon Samuel, West Springfield High 
School; Westfield United Sports, Westfield High School; Harun Khan, 
Woodson High School.
  Mr. Speaker, the efforts of these young people are the building 
blocks of a more peaceful and tolerant world. I commend them on their 
efforts and dedication and ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating each award recipient and thanking them as well as 
Fairfax County Public School System and sponsor organizations for all 
they have done for our community.

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