DEERFIELD — Students from across the Pioneer Valley were honored last week for their work in creating positive change in the world during the 25th annual Peacemaker Awards ceremony.

The event, held at the Deerfield Community Center and sponsored by the Traprock Center for Peace & Justice and the Interfaith Council of Franklin County, recognizes teens in Franklin County who work toward creating a just community that is inclusive of all people.

The Rev. Stanley Aksamit, of Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls and an original organizer of the Peacemaker Awards, said the positive actions by the honored teens give him hope. He urged this year’s honorees to inspire their peers into undertaking community work.

“Over the years, when I’ve come to these gatherings, my heart is renewed. Your spirit and your energy give me renewed spirit and energy,” Aksamit said. “Thank you for all that you’re doing, thank you for the example that you’re setting for other people your age. Encourage them to follow in your footsteps. … We need your enthusiasm, your energy and your commitment.”

Echoing that message was Greenfield High School student Kanza Nasrullah, who, alongside Devonne Brown and Nate Woodard, were recognized for their efforts in creating the school’s Students of Color Club, which has held advisory sessions with the district’s middle school classes.

“Everything that you do to help your community, to better your community, is a huge, huge step,” Nasrullah said. “It’s a step toward change, it’s a step toward peace and that’s what we’re all here for.”

The club, Woodard added, is looking to expand its efforts in its second year.

“We’re going to be working with other schools around Franklin County to make sure students of color get their voices heard,” Woodard, who serves as vice chair of Greenfield’s Human Rights Commission, said, adding that the endeavor requires bringing together students and staff. “Not only does it start with us, it starts from our adults who work with us.”

Another group that was honored was the Four Rivers Charter Public School Class of 2025, which, as part of an annual project for the senior class, produced “Rethinking Recovery,” a documentary exploring the journeys of people in recovery from substance use disorder.

“This documentary highlights the importance of addiction recovery and how people in recovery are just that: people,” Four Rivers student Cat MacDonald explained. “People who deserve support and respect and access to recovery services. People who have stories and wants and autonomy and a need for connection, as everyone does.”

MacDonald added, “While we were incredibly careful to not disregard the harsh realities of addiction, we wanted to show the side of addiction that centers recovery and community, to speak about it in a way that humanizes and sheds light on the healing that comes from the recovery community.”

Twice As Smart students were also honored, including Stoneleigh-Burnham School students Annalise Kapsokavathis, Charlotte Caputo, Suna Plog, Ida Roosen and Nelly Habimana, as well as Deerfield Academy’s Hannah Horner, Valerie Trevino and Matthew Stultz.

Northfield Mount Hermon School Ecoleaders were honored for their work in organizing numerous events related to the environment. Members include Xela Nesel, Eva Lehnerd Reilly, Crystal Zhang, Charlotte Relyea Strawn, Jane Namusisi, Michelle Tang, Luisa Ortiz, Jasper Neff, Amy Vongvasin, Kelvin Cheung, Priya Chatterjee, Ellie Kim and Maeve Tholen.

Individual awards include Gill-Montague Regional School District’s Mario Pareja, Khalifa Seck and Samantha Carr, and Four Rivers students Wesley Acton, Quentin Jones, Hazel Bird Richards and Seneca Smith.

Greenfield High School Sustainability Club member Stella Verlander was recognized, as well as Greenfield High School student Kaleb Reipold, Amherst-Pelham Regional High School’s Zia Salomon Fernandez and North Star Self-Directed Learning for Teens student Ezra Hemphill.

Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.