INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Students at both Storm Grove Middle and Sebastian Elementary schools, along with retirees at Indian River Estates took time from their day Wednesday to recognize a common goal – peace around the world.
Wednesday was International Day of Peace – a day recognized by the United Nations to mark the start of the UN Assembly and a day that has grown into a global cease-fire, allowing international health organizations treat more than a million children in war-torn nations.
The day began at Storm Grove Middle School, where about 900 students took to the soccer field to form a “human” heart. Students took their places as outlined on the field following mathematical computations that revealed just how large the heart needed to be to fit the students, staff and volunteers.
“I want them to understand the power of one person,” said Social Studies teacher Cynthia Emerson. “They’re totally empowered by it.”
Along with forming a heart on the field, students participated in a fund-raiser by having their faces painted and dressing down.
The funds raised through student participation went to the Samaritan Center in Vero Beach.
This was the second year the middle school participated in the International Day of Peace. Last year, students formed a human peace sign.
Emerson said they plan to create a smiley face next year to complete the triad – Peace, Love and Happiness.
“You feel that sense of community,” said teacher coach Cheryl Conley. “They all have a common goal.”
Sebastian Elementary School students also got in on recognizing International Day of Peace by planting pinwheels made in art teacher Jennifer Strazzulla’s class as part of Pinwheels for Peace.
The pinwheels were uniquely decorated with peace signs, the school’s mascot – a turtle, and other images.
“This is a way for them to be able to express their feelings of peace,” said Strazzulla, adding that they are bombarded daily with images of violence and discord.
“We should be nice and have fun,” said Janyah Royal, 7. “It doesn’t matter what’s on the outside – but the inside is what counts.”
At Humiston Park in Vero Beach, the Rotary Club of Vero Beach planned to hold a dedication ceremony for Peace Pole.
Unfortunately, the ceremony has been postponed by about a month due to a mishap that befell the pole.
The hand-carved, seven-sided pole inscribed with “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in different languages made of limestone arrived in Vero Beach last Friday in several pieces.
Rotarian Tracy Carroll said the club is now waiting on a replacement pole to arrive and will reschedule the ceremony for a later date.
Peace poles have been established in thousands of places around the world, including a couple places in Vero Beach. They serve as a marker for peace and a place for the viewer’s reflection of what peace means.
More than 70 seniors at Indian River Estates gathered in their auditorium to reflect for themselves on the meaning of peace – the third time the community has remembered International Day of Peace.
“We all definitely know our world needs peace,” Chaplain William Mead told those who assembled there. “We are really struggling here in the United States.”
The Peace Seekers group at Indian River Estates organized the event, noting that this week has been designated Peace Week and Sept. 21 as International Day of Peace.
County Commissioner Wesley Davis presented a proclamation to the Indian River Estates residents recognizing International Day of Peace.
“There are voices worldwide that do speak for peace,” organizer Glenn Rogers said. “There is no doubt that all of us here want a more peaceful world for our children and for our grandchildren. And there is also no doubt that the voices for peace will overcome, will be heard and will prevail.”
