2026 MHS Peacemaker Award presented to Ioli Papadopoulou
Ioli Papadopoulou, the recipient of the 2026 MHS Peacemaker Award. Photo courtesy of Colleen McKenney.
by Sara Swanson
The Peacemaker Award was established in 2023 by Manchester Community Schools, along with the help of resident Joan Gaughan, who envisioned the award, and Barry Allen, representing Manchester’s Masonic Lodge, which funds it. 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 to all students in the district.
This year it and the accompanying $500 scholarship was again awarded to a graduating senior, Ioli Papadopoulou. What makes Ioli receiving this award even more impressive than usual is that she only attended Manchester High School one year as she was here as a foreign exchange student.
Mrs. Shannon Morton, Manchester High School English teacher, presented the award to Ioli at the high school’s Awards Night. She explained why Ioli was chosen as the award recipient stating, “Ioli is the president of the Alliance Club, which welcomes all students and works to build a more inclusive school community. Her leadership in the club helped it lead a House Day designed to bring students together in friendly competitions not directly related to physical ability, with the overall goal of boosting mental health for all. She is also a member of SRSLY and the Rolling Dutch. In her short time at Manchester Schools, Ioli has shown that she stands for acceptance of diverse people and viewpoints that promote positive community.”
Ioli’s name will be added to the Peacemaker Plaque alongside last year’s recipient, Travis Schiel; 2024’s recipient, Harley Neigebauer; the inaugural recipient, Caiden Kippnick; and Zoe Riesterer who was the inspiration for the award.
Congratulations, Ioli.
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