BHS Students Wins Peace Scholarship Award

By Rev. Rod MacDonald

Burlington High School graduate Sarah Parker received the annual Peace Scholarship award at the June awards night at Burlington High School. This is the thirteenth year of this scholarship sponsored by the Interreligious Group of Burlington, an association of congregations and clergy. Starting with the year following the Columbine High School shootings, these congregations began and funded the scholarship to recognize and encourage actions by students which resolve conflict and nurture tolerance for differences. It is given without regard to religious affiliation or financial need.

Sarah Parker was nominated by the BHS Music Coordinator, John Middleton-Cox. She has been the Stage Manager at BHS and co-president of the Stage Crew Club. She was nominated because of her work, which has included not only managing productions. She has also mediated and intervened in many high-tension and stressful situations related to backstage anxieties and the personal lives of crew and cast. She was praised for her maturity and knack of bringing calm to those in tense conditions.  The scholarship selection committee, which interviewed Sarah, was impressed with the clarity of her thoughts on the nature of peace, both inner and outer, including conflict resolution. She will be attending Clark University in Worcester, and has already reached out to a program that mentors and provides safe after-school programs for area youth.

Congregations involved in the Interreligious Group are the Presbyterian Church, St. Malachy’s Church, St. Margaret’s Church, St. Mark’s Church, Temple Shalom Emeth, and the United Church of Christ, Congregational. For more information, contact Rev. Rod MacDonald, 781-272-9190.