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Peace One Day Celebration Is Held For Sixth Consecutive Year At VUHS

photo provided Spread out across the front lawn of the school, six hundred watched, listened and participated in the Peace One Day event.

photo provided For the sixth consecutive year, VUHS celebrates Peace One Day and joins in an international movement to reflect on and recognize the practices needed to encourage peace.

photo provided Students not only spoke, but performed musically. A student band Territory led by singer Glen Childers performed an original piece about the price of war on people.

Tuesday September 28, 2010

By Cookie Steponaitis

     Six years ago VUHS senior Andy Recupero had an idea. He was intrigued by the growing movement focusing on the idea of an international day of peace with the purpose of encouraging dialogue and activities to spread the philosophy of peace across the globe. Encouraged by the work of filmmaker Jeremy Gilley who designated September 21st as a day of peace and who went on to achieve his goal of having the 192 members of the United Nations unanimously support and endorse his program, Recupero approached his senior advisors with the concept of bringing this practice to the whole school and the VUHS Peace One Day tradition was born. On September 21st it was indeed fitting that among the over six hundred gathered there sat a community member who had begun the tradition while at VUHS as a student, watching his idea take on continued life and support in each new class of seniors present.

     Organized by Glenn Story , Lee Shorey and a dedicated group of students including VUHS senior leader Lily Hamilton, as well as Ben Parsons, K.C. Brigan, and Hannah Smith, the Peace One Day presentation involved such diversity as VUHS graduates and Vermont National Guard Members L. Highbee, A. Porter and J. Rao, home on leave and currently serving in Afghanistan,  Dr. Johnson, the VUHS world drumming class, the VUHS chorus, student speakers, community presentations, book presentations by Jen Lawson and Becca Coffey, banner signings and the sale of pies to benefit the soldiers serving in Afghanistan. Over and over the word peace was used with multiple layers of meaning and definitions. Some spoke of peace for families who had suffered great personal loss while others spoke of peace of mind as loved ones serve in Afghanistan. Some spoke of peace of mind of acceptance by students in schools to feel welcome and safe. Some spoke of peace as an illusive yet desirable goal throughout the history of humanity. Some even wrote and performed original pieces of music about the impact of war and peace on the minds and hearts of people. While the presentations were as diverse as the assembled group, one strong message echoed through all of the voices. Peace was desirable and attainable if all people took up the mantle of living their lives in ways that accept diversity and embrace the world around them.

     The year 2009 saw millions around the world involved in the efforts to have a 24 hour cease fire of hostilities and this 2010 day seems slated to follow with millions supporting and participating around the globe. The emphasis on a one day approach brings attention and focus to the issue globally. “My experience of conflict is that those who are involved in it long for even a day of peace. To have a day of cessation of violence, that to me is an idea whose time has come,” remarked, Mary Robinson, then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

     One speaker challenged the crowd present to realize that humanity has the potential to achieve what some would seem impossible. When polio reached epidemic proportions, the technology and skills of a nation eradicated it in under a decade. If only that energy and passion could be turned toward a world of peace. While peace was the goal of the day and the dream of millions, the group was firm in its appreciation and support for those who guard America and her freedoms at home and around the world.

     With the ringing of a bell, the assembly concluded and the students disappeared back into the building and into the schedule of high school life. They carried with them a great deal to reflect on and a stronger understanding that even as teens their voices not only count but their actions as well concluding year six of a student led movement and very clearly a tradition embraced by VUHS students past, present and in the wings waiting to lead the way. These sentiments were echoed by VUHS senior Peace One Day organizer Lily Hamilton who shared, “ I wanted to lead Peace One Day, because I want our school to continue the tradition. I want VUHS to keep celebrating Peace One Day until peace one day is everyday!”

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