Buchanan Middle School student Dakota Fonseca received this year’s Peacemaker Award, which is handed out every year by First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan.

Contestants wrote 250-word essays on what it means to make peace.

Fonseca wrote, in part, “A peacemaker must be firm and creative, but also want to resolve the different conflicts that may get in the way … It takes a true trustworthy person to be a peacemaker, but peace can happen. It is all up to you! Are you going to be the person creating peace or the person destroying it?”

Fonseca received a check for $50, while the first runner-up, Erica Mitchell, received a $25 check from the church. Second runner-up was Jacob Clayton and third runner-up was Cora Schau.

“In a world where students encounter bullying, conflict and harassment in both school hallways and the internet and many have relatives serving in conflicts overseas, we thought it was important for the students to reflect on what it means to be a peacemaker,” said Pastor Patricia Ramsden.

Buchanan teacher Monica Clupper, who works with the students, said she is always surprised who enters the contest and what is written.