May 10, 2022 Live from the road

Chula Vista, San Diego

Reported by Vasudha Deming

The Peace Run team enters Hawking STEAM 1 in Chula Vista along with student runners for the first Peace Run school event in this region since 2019.

A Hawking student shares his poem for peace.

All students have the opportunity to hold the Peace Run torch.

Offering a painting on the theme of peace to Hawking 1.

Taking a moment to make a wish for peace.

Enjoying the conversation.

Gabriele addresses the students.

The two outdoor assemblies at Hawking 1 included all students grades K through 8th.

A Hawking student addresses his schoolmates.

Students present sentiments for peace.

Doing our best to sing the Peace Run song loud enough for the whole assembly to hear.

Nathan Balce recevieves a Peace Run Torch Bearer Award from Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas.

Principal Bernal holds the torch as Mayor Salas addresses the school.

Student leaders emcee the ceremony.

Taking a moment to feel peace inside our hearts.

Time for a run around the school!

Sharing the torch and making a wish for peace.

Peace Runners demonstrate the Peace Begins Within visualization activity.

Teachers get the students moving!

Hawking students enjoying fun--and the sun.

One student holds the torch and makes a wish for peace while another waits "on deck."

Two students share a moment with the Peace Run torch.

Santiva introduces the purpose of the Peace Run to the Hawking assembly.

Singing the Peace Run song.

Students made artwork for peace--and also presented the team with Peace bandanas!

Hawking 1 teacher Tawny DeAlva is a great friend to the Peace Run and was highly involved in planning the activities of the student assembly.

Pondering peace.

Student Torch Bearer award recipient Signy Quinones stands with Mayor Salas.

Student Nathan Balce holds the torch after receiving a Torch Bearer Award.

Student hosts were selected to lead the Peace Run team into the assembly.

Acting out short skits to demonstrate how our simple everyday actions can help us to increase the peace.

Hawking students sang a very moving song for the Peace Runners.

Teachers and student leaders made a presentation and kept us all on schedule!

Two generations of peace-lovers.

Parents, staff and teachers participated in the school run with the Peace Torch.

Hawking wowed the team with their high energy!

Student Fiona Dougherty presents her poem on the theme of peace.

Hand Over Heart x 500 people = Powerful Peace!

It's a great day for a run around the school!

Student hosts Noah and Alyson leading the Peace Run ceremony.

Students enjoying the activities (and the beautiful sunny day).

The Peace Run Torch brings a smile to every face.

Students showing us that peace is active and dynamic!

We had a very active Peace Run ceremony at Finney Elementary school at their beautiful outdoor assembly area.

The Peace Run team, Finney Peace Patrol and Student Council enter the ceremony.

Several teachers, local leaders, and members of the Superintendent's office addressed the students to show their support. Mr. Turner led the Peace Tree planting after the ceremony.

Dr. Prange congratulates Ms. Michelle Posada.

Finney Elementary has a vibrant garden!

Shout-out to the Montgomery High Pep Band and Pep Squad! They brought great energy and enthusiasm to the ceremony.

With a litte help from Mr Keehmer, students sang the Finney Song and the popular tune Count on Me.

Montgomery High band brought the Pep!

Torchbearer recipient Michelle Posada makes a poignant speech about the connection between peace, the natural environment, and individual well-being. She is a parent volunteer who had two children at the school. Her youngest child will graduate this year. She created the vibrant Finney School Garden from what was previously a field of weeds.

We always enjoy hearing from students!

Another short, fun skit to demonstrate how small actions can either help or hinder peace in our lives.

Dr. Beverly Prange, Principal of Finney Elementary, congratulates student recipients of the Torch Bearer award.

Finney students take a moment to visualize peace within.

The four Torch Bearer recipients are congratulated by Dr. Prange.

Time for another song led by students and accompanied by Mark Keehmer, Director of VAPA for the local School District.

Dr. Debra McLaren (Director of Leadership Development, Equity, and Access at the Chula Vista school district) read a Langston Hughes poem and offered a poignant speech.

Students created several vibrant artwork banners, each titled with the word Peace in a different language.

A Sri Chinmoy Peace Tree (crepe myrtle) was planted in the school garden after the Peace Run ceremony.

The Peace Run team stands at the newly planted Peace Tree.

Torch carried by
Alexander Marchenko (Ukraine), Atulya Berube (United States), Dave Morrison (United States), Devendra Cheatham (United States), Gabriele Settimi (Italy), Manorath Morrison (United States), Olivia Lopez (Mexico), Palyati Fouse (United States), Papaha Gosline (United States), Pransukh Marks (United States), Pujari Schaffer (United States), Santiva Morrison (United States), Udita Laboni (Bangladesh), Vasudha Deming (United States).  
Photographers
Devendra Cheatham, Palyati Fouse, Papaha Gosline

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