Avondale School District, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, announces two students from Deerfield Elementary School received national honorable mentions for the Radiant Peace award from the Radiant Peace Foundation International, Inc. The students are third grader Lauren Black, daughter of William and Martha Black of Rochester Hills and fourth grader Isabella Chad, daughter of James and Laura Chad of Auburn Hills. Both students’ art was chosen for its originality and creativity.

“Deerfield Elementary is very proud of Lauren and Isabella’s dedication to peace in their school and community and are thrilled that their work has been honored by the Foundation,” said Katherine Suender, Deerfield art teacher.

Suender entered student art in this school year’s annual fall contest. Lauren and Isabella each received patches, certificates and $30 for their winning pieces of artwork.

This year marked the twenty-second annual fall program to encourage Radiant Peace in the world. Each year The Radiant Peace Foundation International, Inc. recognizes students, teachers and schools that create writing and art projects that inspire and encourage Radiant Peace in our world. The foundation defines Radiant Peace as something “within us all and is available to everyone. Radiant Peace is natural, whole, harmless, not dualist in, benevolent energy within all our hearts, relating us all and making us whole. Radiant Peace transcends the limits of race, age, gender, politics and religion.”

About the Radiant Peace Foundation International, Inc.  The Radiant Peace Foundation International, Inc. is a 501c3 education nonprofit founded in 1986 based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its mission is to inspire, encourage and promote Radiant Peace and to serve as a centerpoint for Radiant Peace education worldwide.

About Avondale School District:   The Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.