Harley Neigebauer honored with Peacemaker Award

Left to right: Barry Allen, Joan Gaughan, and Harley Neigebauer. Photo courtesy of Manchester Community Schools.

by Sara Swanson

Last spring Manchester Community Schools, along with the help of resident Joan Gaughan, who envisioned the award, and Barry Allen, representing Manchester’s Masonic Lodge who funds it, established a new annual award for students. It was originally envisioned as an award to be presented to a graduating senior who has shown leadership in quelling bullying or just plain mean behavior among their classmates, but was opened this year to all students in the district. 

Superintendent Brad Bezeau, who also served as Riverside Intermediate School principal this year, stated, “On Friday, June 7, 2024, fourth grade student, Harley Neigebauer was recognized at Riverside’s End of the Year Assembly and Hooray Day as the 2024 Peacemaker Award Recipient for her efforts in combatting bullying and leading the way in being kind to her classmates. In addition to being recognized with a certificate and medal of honor, she also received a $500 award from the Peacemaker Selection Committee and the Manchester Lodge #148 F. & A.M.” The award was presented by Gaughan and Allen. Harley’s family was present.

Eighth grader Zoe Riesterer was also recognized this year. Gaughan explained, “The inspiration for the Peacemaker Award came last year from the effort of a then–seventh grader, Zoe Riesterer, to stop a Jewish classmate from being bullied on account of her religion. However, Zoe’s identity was not then known to the selection committee. To remedy last year’s omission, Zoe was awarded $250 and the Peacemaker certificate.” Her name has also been placed upon the Peacemaker plaque alongside Caiden Kippnick’s, the first recipient of the award.

Gaughan stated that this year there were seven nominees, three seniors, a seventh grader, and three Riverside students. All of the nominees not selected were given a certificate and awarded $25. Nominees were recognized at the Riverside ceremony and the High School’s Award Night on May 22. Nominees for the award were sixth graders Braelyn Reed and Nathalya Brown; seventh grader Lottie Williams; and graduating seniors Miranda Austin, Lauren Blain, and Damien Evans.

Manchester's initiative in granting the Peacemaker Award has now expanded to neighboring school districts! Gaughan reports that Columbia Central and Chelsea both now present a Peacemaker Award. However, currently only in Manchester, are nominees also honored.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.