It’s no secret that high school students are busy. Classes, friends, sports, applying to college – it’s enough to occupy anyone. What is extraordinary is that all across the country, students are dedicating their time to bring peace to Darfur.

The Dollars for Darfur program is proof of how generous and effective young people can be, and how importantly they view the crisis in Darfur. The students who devote their time to this cause remind us of what each person can achieve, and recently, several have been acknowledged for their hard work.

This month Ana Slavin and Nick Anderson, aged 18 and 19 respectively, were honored with a Global Action Award by Mercy Corps for founding the program as juniors in high school. Their enthusiasm and commitment kindled a nationwide effort that has engaged thousands of students and inspired them to speak out for the Darfuri people.

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It’s normal to see groups of tourists flooding Washington in the summer months. Dozens of student groups come to tour historical monuments and learn about U.S. history and government.

This year, one group came to make a difference. Thirty-five students, teachers, and parents - winners of this year’s annual Dollars for Darfur National School Challenge - came to Washington on an all-expense-paid trip to lobby their elected officials.

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