Our world needs peace. Peace is the ultimate prize for all humanity,” said Mount Madonna School junior Kyler Nishimura, speaking at Mount Madonna’s Sept. 23 commemoration of the International Day of Peace. “Cultivating a culture of peace means replacing division, disempowerment and despair with justice, equality and hope for all; It means focusing on preventing conflict.”
This statement was part of a public message delivered by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sept. 21 during the UN’s International Day of Peace acknowledgement.
Through song, reflection, group activity and a cooperative game with colorful, assorted balls, some 170 people — primarily the school’s preschool through grade 12 student body — came together for the Mount Madonna School peace day commemoration.
Guests Shira Coleman Hagar and Marcia Stein of Educators for Peaceful Classrooms and Communities facilitated a discussion.
“How can we each use our small voice to make big peaceful changes to the people and things around us?” Hagar asked the students.
While numerous ideas were shared, the first came from a young child, who said simply, “more kindness.”
Peace Day is celebrated annually on Sept. 21 as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace. The 2024 theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace,” represents a call to action that recognizes the individual and collective responsibility to foster peace.
At Mount Madonna School’s event, the voices of first through fifth grade students, accompanied by classmates on musical instruments, under the direction of June Bonacich, performed a heartfelt rendition of “This Day of Peace.” The high school choir, guided by music teacher Holly Ota, shared an inspiring version of “I Will be the Change”; and senior Lagi Hunnicutt read the school’s land acknowledgement that the school sits on property that is the homeland of the Ohlone people. Seventh grade students read “Don’t Hesitate” a poem by Mary Oliver, and freshman Minami Wu shared a classmate’s reflection.
High School history teacher Greg Shirley, who leads the schools Model U.N. Club, spoke about the history of the International Day of Peace.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the day of peace as a period devoted to non-violence and cease-fire.
“While the International Day of Peace ceremony is commemorated on one day of the year, building a peaceful community is a daily practice,” said Mount Madonna Head of School Ann Goewert. “I encourage each of you to think about how you can be a vehicle for peace and remember Mahatma Gandhi’s words: ‘I will be the change.’”