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Left to right: speech contest winners included Marisa Cherry (fourth), Tony Lin (third), Jennelle Torres (second) Kristine Chin (first).

The international Season for Nonviolence held each year from Jan. 30 to April 4 honors the lives and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and other peace activists that have practiced civil disobedience.

Alameda students were invited to answer the questions, "What power does one individual have to bring safety and security to his or her community? How can one person contribute to making the entire world a safer and securer place?"

On Saturday, May 14, the students participated in the Season for Nonviolence Speech Contest Finals held at the Alameda Main Library and sponsored by the Alameda Collaborative for Children, Youth and their Families and the Alameda Unified School District.

The students reflected on the issues of bullying, drugs, cliques and other triggers of violence. They also explored ways in which they as individuals and we as a community can combat these dangerous forces.

Cash prizes were awarded for first, second, third and fourth place, and all participants received a certificate of achievement.

Kristine Chin took first, Jennelle Torres second, Tony Lin, third, and Marisa Cherry, fourth place. Torres represented Encinal High School, the other students all currently attend Alameda Science and Technology Institute.

The other finalists were also ASTI students: 10th graders Matt Rhode and Kristine Amber Gomez, and ninth graders Ebone Qualls and Mercedes Thorne.