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Three years ago, the Rev. Jim Hogan of Christ the King Catholic Parish in Missoula was searching for a way to do something positive for the community. He came up with a Search for Peace - a contest for students at all Missoula schools (elementary, middle, high and college) to inspire creative works about peace.

This year's competition had almost 70 entries, the most ever, Hogan said. A panel of five judges chose eight entries, two from each level, to honor at a ceremony at Christ the King on Sunday night.

"There were some great things that came in," Hogan said.

Amy Holtz, a student from the University of Montana, was presented the Father Jim Hogan Peace Award, a bronze medallion and a check for $100, for her musical composition " We Must Choose."

"It's not too late, in this world full of hate," her song says. "There's still time to make a change."

A collaborative sculpture between kindergartners and eighth-graders at Sussex School was also honored. The sculpture, called "Reaching for Peace," was made of one large bowl of clay handprints, an olive branch and eight smaller nesting bowls. The students used symbols for peace like the color blue and the olive branch. They were awarded a certificate and $50 for their collaborative effort.

Everyone who was honored received a certificate and a check for $50 for "Selected Representatives" or $25 for "Appreciated Entries."

Entries honored Sunday night were:

Poem: "Sharing Peace," by Teague Blome of Lewis and Clark School.

Poem: "Take a Chance on Peace," by Chi-Chi Adeleke of Lewis and Clark.

Sculpture: "Peace," by Kirsten Vaculik of Rattlesnake Middle School.

Essay: "When I Was Younger," by Neil Marks of Washington Middle School

Essay: "The General," by Jeff Ammons of Hellgate High School.

Poem: "You Are Chosen," by Sarah Moody of Loyola Sacred Heart High School.

Song: "We Must Choose," by Amy Holtz of UM.

Sculpture: "Working Together," by Talitha Seymour of UM.

Sculpture: "Reaching for Peace," by kindergarten and eighth-grade students at Sussex.

Students submitted a lot of essays and poetry, Hogan said. Entries came from all over the community. "It's not just a Christ the King deal at all," he said, although two of the honorees go to the church.

The judges were people from all over the community. They included a woodcarver, an illustrator, a sculptor and two peace activists. "They are capable and professional folks who have an appreciation for peace and art," he said.

Hogan said he plans to continue the Search for Peace next year.

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