Since December, about 100 central Ohio youths have engaged in peace marches, leadership sessions and other training as members of SAVE.

 

Thursday night they sang, danced, exhibited art and spread their anti-violence message at the 13th annual SAVE Awards ceremony.

 

Alumni of the awards program took part in this year's ceremony, including the L & B Positive Rappers, the opening and closing acts.

 

Before the night was over, African drummers, mural artists, singers and steppers had given their take on anti-violence.

 

There was even time for sujperheroes Strategy Guy and Violence Eliminator to intervene with fellow students before settling a spat between themselves.

 

Most of the evening was devoted to youths, but adding to the significance of the night were officials froom the county, the city, Columbus City Schools and Franklin County Children Services, co-sponsor.

 

Member of the Year Awards went to James Smith Jr., Brandon Welch, Tyler Stevens, of SAVESNet at Southmoor Middle, Medina Middle, Linden-McKinley High and South High schools, respectively.

 

SAVESNet at South High won Outstanding Message of Sharing Peace; Prophetic Impact Youth Group, Outstanding Violence Prevention Message; PAVE, Outstanding Resiliency Message; Communities in Schools Cassady Afterschool Program - Peaceful Guiders, Outstanding Anti-Violence Message and Godman Guild ACES, Outstanding Motivational Message.

 

Communities in Schools Cassady Afterschool Program - Keep the Peace, Outstanding Positive Perspective Message; SAVESNet at Southmoor; Outstanding Anti-Media-Violence Message; SAVESNET at Medina, Outstanding Anti-Violence Musical Message; Ohio State School for the Blind, Outstanding Peaceful Leadership Message; SAVESNet at Linden McKinley, Outstanding Message of Peace; and Communities in Schools Cassady Afterschool Program - Seven Peaceful Peers, Outstanding Violence Resolution Message.

 

The event was held at East High School, alma mater of SAVE founder Les Wright, who was unable to attend the event. She presented a message via video to thank event sponsors and congratulate honorees.

 

The Youth Advocacy Award in Wright's honor was presented to SAVE board member Deanna L. Wilkinson.

 

SAVE Awards also went to Mercedes Chomos, Teacher of the Year, and Johnetta L. Wiley, Principal of the Year.

 

Gidget Walker attended to support her daughter, Canei, a junior at South High.

 

"It's great to see the kids displaying a positive message," Gidget Walker said.

 

She liked the inclusion of children of all ages as well as some who are blind.

 

Briana Yarbrough, a senior at Linden-McKinley, said that more students at the school are part of SAVE this year, and that the number of fights has decreased.