May 25. 2011 ■Jîortlanb (Dbseruer Page 9 Attention Small Business Owners Peace Prize for Unsung Hero Do you want the com puter skills that can help you: •Create and manage your own website •Reduce your costs •Improve your sales ing up later that evening. But even “R eaching out to people who with all of the anticipation of the haven’t been reached out to.” For months, the students worked weekend’s events, their attention Throughout the project, the stu­ We offer computer training and technical support to teach you the valuable to decide who, of the 20 nominees was fully occupied once the bell dents have been able to learn real and practical s k ills you need to run your business more effectively they selected, will receive the sec­ rang at 8:15 a.m., with their verdict of skills and take on leadership roles, ond annual Portland Peace Prize, who will be the recipient of the award which Bennon explained is rare in Call or email us today to get started! which will be announced on Thurs­ coming closer to finalized decision. schools for teens. (503)621-6368 day. Bennon opened the class with a Students can make a difference in ¡nfo@LB3ComputingSolutions.com The students in the senior in­ warm up exercise, which asked the the community by coming together quiry class selected people dedi­ students to choose criteria for what and setting ideas,” said Martiesha cated to stopping hunger, reducing they personally believe is the most Lambert. “We are organizing an conflicts and crime, supporting civil important attribute of a peace prize event that not only adults can do, rights, and for their perseverance in recipient. In the discussion that fol­ but we are capable o f doing our­ "Making Sense of IT All" helping people throughout the city lowed, the students explained they selves. And I am so proud of our secure a better life. respect individuals who are deter­ hard work.” Students rarely have the oppor­ mined and create the ability to over­ The final peace prize winner will tunity to hear inspiring stories of come obstacles to the barriers often be announced during a special cer­ people who make a difference, ex­ existent within society. emony Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the plained Brady Bennon, one of three “To create peace you have to be Ecotrust Building, 721 N.W. Ninth teachers of the course. “As a social passionate about what you are do­ Ave. Portland City Commissioner studies and history teacher, I know ing,” added Jazmine Thompson Dan Saltzman will speak, as well as so much of what students learn is added during the exercise. political singer and songw riter pretty cynical, so kids have become Bennon explained that this year David Rovics will perform. cynical about the world and their the students began the project by The session will recognize all of community,” he said. forming small groups and selecting the nominees for the work they are The course, which includes 33 a former International Peace Prize doing within the city. A silent auc­ students, covers English, History recipient they wanted to investi­ tion will include over $400 worth of and Economics and is taught by two gate. donated items from places such as high school teachers and a PSU Melissa Woods, a student in the Patagonia, Laughing Planet Café and college professor. class at Jefferson, studied Nelson Salty’s Dog and Cat shop. All pro­ “It’s a great feeling to know that Mandela, whom she explained dedi­ ceeds will be donated to the Port­ we are planning an event that will cated his entire life to the struggle land Peace Prize winner’s local non­ 503-891-5905 change the life of someone who against the African Apartheid. profit of choice. constantly changes other peoples’ She wrote essays and poetry, “More than simply giving props shop lives for the better,” said Blair and read his biography “Long Walk to someone, the Portland Peace Prize Robertson, a student event planner to Freedom,” which she said showed changes our culture at its roots to be 503-2842-2989 in Jefferson’s senior class. her the qualities she will look for more peaceful,” said student Erica The idea for the Portland Peace when helping to decide who should Maranowski. “Specifically, by hon­ Best Offer Accepted Prize first began while Bennon was receive the local Peace Prize. oring and placing a high-value on teaching an elective course at LEAP “He sacrificed his entire life to local peace work.” high school around the same time create peace and democracy for his President Obama was awarded the people,” she said. “He never gave International Peace Prize. up and gave everything he had, Inspired by the way Peace Prize even when he spent 28-years in winners overcame barriers of peace prison. He just never gave up.” and democracy world-wide, both For every nominee, the students he, and the students, began to won­ conducted an interview where they der if it could be possible to have asked a number of questions pre­ local versions of the award as a way pared to allow them more insight to give recognition to the contribu­ into lives and work of the individu­ Truly making adifference in the lives of tions of courageous individuals and als and organizations on a daily Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. organizations within the local Port­ basis. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, land community. “We are not just picking any­ “Every year there is only one body for this prize,” said SeQoya call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 Nobel Peace Prize awarded,” said Tillman. “We are really trying to dig Bennon. “And for all the work that deep and find a person who is truly actually happens on the ground, making achange and creating peace. We are located on the that is not a lot of recognition.” The class completed the last of com er ofM LK and Russell Bennon explained, the more he their interviews with Debra Lippoldt, thought about it, the more he real­ who was nominated for her work Street, on the second floor ized the project is a great way for with the non-profit Growing Gar­ above the coffee shop. students to look at these issues dens, which builds garden beds for first-hand within society. people with disabilities and low in­ “It’s really amazing to watch the come families. students get inspired by the impres­ In the interview, several students sive and unsung leaders in the com­ asked questions, including what munity,” said Bennon. “They start influenced her to become a leader r, W Parking Area to believe in the community they’re within the community; what was her 33 in, and I think they are getting ex­ definition of peace; and who would