In a public ceremony last night, Gettysburg’s Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) awarded its annual, prestigious Peacemaker Awards to “celebrate leaders in peace, service and community”.

ICPJ President Darren Glass presented a Lifetime of Peacemaking Award to Vida Charter School, represented by Dr. Christine Miller, Executive Director, who has led the school for nearly a decade and contributed through service and leadership within the community. The school offers tuition-free, bilingual services to regional students in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade, and was cited for its efforts to help students embrace multicultural differences and promoting connection within the community.

Anne Bucher Lane, Dean Emerita at Gettysburg College, presented a Lifetime of Peacemaking Award to Kay and Brad Hollabaugh of the Hollabaugh Bros. fruit and vegetable farm in Biglerville. In her remarks, Dean Lane emphasized the great “impact that both [recipients] had on the area in terms of land stewardship, their support and advocacy for seasonal farmworkers, public education and the general well-being and building of community across political, ethnic, social, generational, and educational divides.” Kay had previously been honored for her work in elevating the dignity and honor of Hispanic/Latino farmworkers. Both Kay and Brad have served on the Upper Adams School Board.

Dr. Rosie Bolen was awarded the William J. Collinge Award, presented by Professor Emeritus William Collinge, for her more than two decades of service to ICPJ. In her citation, Dr. Bolen was described as “committed to anti-racism, she played leadership roles in organizing community responses to Ku Klux Klan rallies in 2006 and 2013 and an Aryan Nations rally in 2010. In 2025, Rosie became co-chair of the Adams County Heritage Festival planning committee and assumed the role of chair in 2026. A biology professor at Mount St. Mary’s, she has shown a special commitment to environmental justice throughout her career.”

Muso Nyiwul was nominated by, and presented with, the Youth Peacemaker Award by Adams County Farmers Market Manager, Reza Djalal. The thirteen-year-old has volunteered at the Farmers Market since the age of nine. Djalal emphasized her unwavering enthusiasm in assisting with various tasks such as tent setup, customer service, vendor assistance, administration of food programs, and “contributing to the Farmers Market’s spirit of community nearly every weekend.” According to Djalal, “Muso exemplifies the spirit of peacemaking through service and leads through consistent action, thoughtfulness, and commitment, which sets a powerful example for both kids and adults alike.”

The ceremony was held in Valentine Hall at United Lutheran Seminary followed by meet and greet time with refreshments.