Although the creative works were wildly different, they all resonated with a remarkably clear vision for a world filled with hope, tenderness and respect for all kind.
"You can't change everyone into wanting and working for peace, but you can change yourself," wrote Hellgate High School student Tempest Sanders-Garrett in her award-winning essay.
Each year students from the Missoula schools - elementary to university students - are invited to submit their creative work about peace. A panel of judges selects the pieces to receive certificates and cash awards.
The first-, second- and fourth-graders of Lewis and Clark Elementary School drew exuberant applause and standing ovations on Sunday for performing their heart-crafted original song "Peace Within, Peace Without."
What at first looked like an excitable, distracted young chorus, quickly became a focused performing group, with the aplomb of a much older well-rehearsed choir.
Little voices boomed in unison throughout Christ the King Catholic Church, drawing big smiles - and some joyful tears - with their song that includes the refrain:
"We were meant to love and be loved, Brothers and sisters around the world, Peace within, Peace without.
"Families and friends, there's no doubt, Joining together, there's so much we can do, Making the earth a home for me and you."
Sussex School seventh-graders took home the grand prize, a bronze medal and a $100 check for their artful banners called "The Powerful Peace."
The giant work, involving three separate but harmonious panels, included 13 individual portraits of peace created by the student artists. A child sleeping in a mother's arms, caring siblings and a person comforting another were some of the images expressed in the work.
"Isn't this an amazing bunch of kids?" the Rev. Jim Hogan said to those sitting near him in the packed church.
During a selected reading from the entrants, Hogan repeated out loud throughout the program, "Oh, they are so amazing.
"It gives me so much hope."
Award recipients are as follows:
Chi-Chi Adeleke, Lewis and Clark School, for her poem, "Peace is Love."
Hannah Bigelow, St. Joseph School, for her poem, "Peace Still Lingers."
Skye Folsom, Sussex School, for her painting "Embryos in the Womb of the Sun."
Eric Wills, Lewis and Clark, for his essay, "Peace."
Tempest Sanders-Garrett, Hellgate High School, for her essay, "Stepping Stones."
Lauren Hansen, Hellgate High School, for her painting "Peace on Top of 'Our Own' Hill."
Emilie Loran, St. Joseph School, for her poem, "Peace."
Matthew Freeman, Sussex School, for his painting "The Shine of Peace."
Emma Rott, Cold Springs School, for her painting, "War Hurts Families/Pray For Peace."
Kari Werkman, Hellgate High School, for her visual poetry, "The Peaceable Kingdom."
Jack Kemplay, Sussex School, for his painting "Peace Is So Old It Lasts Forever."
Josh Stenseth, University of Montana, for his essay "Anxiety."
Additional awards were given to Lewis and Clark School for the song "Peace Within, Peace Without," and Sussex School students for their wind chimes titled "Flying Phoenixes and White Tigers" and their cloth hanging titled "The Powerful Peace."
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