Peace Islands Institute New Jersey

Peace Islands Institute New Jersey Peace Islands Institute (PII) aspires to facilitate a forum of mutual respect and collaboration.

✨ Celebrating Creativity & Connection ✨On June 11, we proudly hosted the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Award Ceremony ...
06/14/2026

✨ Celebrating Creativity & Connection ✨

On June 11, we proudly hosted the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Award Ceremony at Montclair State University, honoring talented students from schools across New Jersey.

This year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection,” inspired young artists and writers to explore empathy, inclusion, and the impact of meaningful relationships in our communities.

We are proud to recognize the 32 winners selected from schools throughout New Jersey for their outstanding creativity, insight, and expression. Their artwork and essays beautifully reflected the spirit of building stronger, more connected communities.

Congratulations to all award recipients, honorable mention students, and participants who shared their creativity and vision. Thank you to the families, educators, sponsors, volunteers, and community members who helped make this event a memorable success.

Here are some highlights from the evening and a celebration of our talented winners. 📸🎨📝

Together, we continue building bridges through art, writing, and understanding. 💙

06/11/2026

🎉 You’re invited to the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony!

📢 **Please note: The ceremony date has changed and will now take place on Thursday, June 11.**

Join us for a special evening celebrating student creativity, achievement, and expression inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

We will recognize the outstanding middle school and high school winners in both Art and Essay categories and celebrate the meaningful messages they shared through their work.

📅 Date: Thursday, June 11
🕔 Time: 5:30 PM
📍 Location: Conference Center, Montclair State University
1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043

The evening will feature inspiring presentations, recognition of contest winners, and an exhibition of outstanding artwork and essays submitted by students.

Everyone is welcome to attend and support these talented young artists and writers!

RSVP here: https://forms.gle/uMpRVxeqkXPzecps9

06/10/2026

Peace Islands Institute stands in solidarity with our fellow faith leaders as part of the Wayne Clergy Council following the recent developments in our community.

We are honored to join Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Hindu faith leaders in affirming our shared commitment to peace, understanding, and the safety of all houses of worship. We condemn terrorism, violent extremism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, and every form of hatred and bigotry.
…..
We invite our community to read the full Joint Statement of the Wayne Clergy Council below and join us in building a stronger, safer, and more compassionate Wayne for all.

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State Univ...
06/02/2026

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University as we celebrate the achievements of the students recognized in this year’s contest!

We are excited to recognize our High School Essay Winners of the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest.

✍️ Congratulations to these talented students for their thoughtful writing, powerful ideas, and meaningful reflections inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

🏆 1st Place: Angie Yang
Bridgewater-Raritan High School – 10th Grade

🏆 2nd Place: Danielle Burgos
Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design – 9th Grade

🏆 3rd Place: Leyla Yildiz
Wayne Hills High School – 9th Grade

🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Riley Swift
Peyton Kruk
Katelyn Lara
Nihal Oztoprak
Yash Rajput

Thank you to all participants for using your voices to share messages of connection, understanding, and community. Your words remind us of the power of building bridges through empathy and expression.

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State Univ...
06/02/2026

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University as we celebrate the achievements of the students recognized in this year’s contest!

We are excited to recognize our Middle School Essay Winners of the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest.

✍️ Congratulations to these talented students for their thoughtful writing, powerful ideas, and meaningful reflections inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

🏆 1st Place: Segun Sashi
Jonathan Dayton Academy – 8th Grade

🏆 2nd Place: Emma Ortiz
Creativity CoLaboratory Charter School – 8th Grade

🏆 3rd Place: Maggie McGuire
Memorial Middle School – 8th Grade

🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Aahana Verma
Olivia Roessner
Isabelle Carlson
Emma Perrotto
Maddex Guerrero

Thank you to all participants for using your voices to share messages of connection, understanding, and community. Your words remind us of the power of building bridges through empathy and expression.

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State Univ...
06/02/2026

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University as we celebrate the achievements of the students recognized in this year’s contest!

We are excited to recognize our High School Art Winners of the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest.

🎨 Congratulations to these talented students for their creativity, vision, and artistic expression inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

🏆 1st Place: Eva Yoo
Northern Valley Regional High School – 10th Grade

🏆 2nd Place: Eunice Cho
Fort Lee High School – 11th Grade

🏆 3rd Place: Caitlyn Lee
Academy of Holy Angels – 9th Grade

🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Gamin Kim
Serine Kim
Adelina Muller
Gianna Park
Hye Lynn Lee

Thank you to all participants for sharing your creativity and meaningful artwork with us. Your work reminds us of the power of connection, understanding, and community.

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State Univ...
06/02/2026

🎉 Join us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 11 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University as we celebrate the achievements of the students recognized in this year’s contest!

We are excited to recognize our Middle School Art Winners of the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest.

🎨 Congratulations to these talented students for their creativity, vision, and artistic expression inspired by this year’s theme, “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

🏆 1st Place: Noah Ahn
Harrington Park School – 8th Grade

🏆 2nd Place: Maria Bazelak
Clearview Regional Middle School – 8th Grade

🏆 3rd Place: Hannah Cho
Demarest Middle School – 8th Grade

🌟 Honorable Mentions:
Ashley Gonzalez
Ashley S. Kim
Melaniya Ramsay
Carlenya Washington
Ye Jun Lee

Thank you to all participants for sharing your creativity and meaningful artwork with us. Your work reminds us of the power of connection, understanding, and community.

Celebrate creativity, connection, and community with us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony! 🎨✍️Join ...
05/28/2026

Celebrate creativity, connection, and community with us at the 16th Annual Art & Essay Contest Awards Ceremony! 🎨✍️

Join us on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 5:30 PM at Montclair State University Conference Center as we honor New Jersey students and showcase inspiring artwork and essays around this year’s theme: “Building Bridges: The Power of Connection.”

All are welcome—families, friends, educators, and community members. We look forward to celebrating with you! ✨

To our Muslim brothers and sisters, may this blessed Eid Al-Adha bring you peace, joy, and spiritual renewal. Peace Isla...
05/27/2026

To our Muslim brothers and sisters, may this blessed Eid Al-Adha bring you peace, joy, and spiritual renewal. Peace Islands Institute extends warm wishes to all for a season filled with compassion, unity, and togetherness.

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777 Terrace Avenue, Ste 109
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
07604

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