Washington, DC -- The United States Institute of Peace announced the national first, second, and third place winners in the twelfth annual National Peace Essay Contest at an awards banquet at Meridian International Center in Washington, D.C. The first place winner will receive a college scholarship of $10,000. Second and third place winners will receive scholarships worth $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.

First Place:
Jean Marie Hicks of Rapid City, South Dakota
St. Thomas More High School

Essay Title: "Preventive Diplomacy in the Iraq-Kuwait Dispute and in the Venezuela Border Dispute"

Second Place:
Anika Binnendijk of Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School

Essay Title: "How Diplomacy Made the Difference: Preventive Measures in Somalia and Macedonia"

Third Place:
Rebecca Bradburd of Williamstown, Massachusetts
Mt. Greylock Regional High School

Essay Title: "Preventive Diplomacy: The Lessons of Munich and Macedonia"

More than 2,500 students in 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and American high schools overseas participated in this year's contest.

"These participants in the essay contest understand that international conflict management and peace processes are essential components of our nation's foreign relations in the post-Cold War world," said Dr. Richard H. Solomon, president of the United States Institute of Peace. "These students have seen the direct relationship between the world of learning and the world of public affairs and peacemaking. The United States needs creative, resourceful, and innovative young leaders like the Peace Essay contest winners to help our country prevent and manage international conflict in the new century."