Dozens of children from Medfield Heights and Margaret Brent Elementary Schools took over Homewood Field and the rear gymnasium of the Recreation Center last Friday to celebrate a year of hard work. The event, known as the Peace Festival, was organized and run by the Johns Hopkins and Goucher chapters of Peace by PEACE, an organization that teaches nonviolent conflict resolution to fourth and fifth grade students.
Early in the day, participants were treated to a traditional lion dance by the Chinese Student Association and a performance by the Hindi a cappella group Kranti. Afterwards, groups of kids participated in a variety of games and activities, both in and out of doors.
Inside the gymnasium, students helped to make a map of the United States out of individually-decorated cloth squares, made picture frames and listened to a Peace Corps presentation by Joanna Allen, a Malaysian student who discussed life in her country and played a native game. Outside, the children got a chance to run around, playing a variety of games, including a group initiative and student-designed peace game.
Peace by PEACE's treasurer Jess Beaton called the Peace Festival a success. "It was expanded this year; it included two schools, so it brought together two very diverse groups of kids who interacted with each other and had a good time. So many community volunteers came out, maybe 30 people came out and donated their time." Regarding changes planned for next event, Beaton said, "We're looking to expand next year, maybe include more student groups to perform, since we only had two this year." Beaton is also an international representative for Peace by PEACE.
Peace by PEACE member Allison Moore said, "We teach [the kids] throughout the year. It's kind of a reward for them; it's cool when you're still in fourth or fifth grade to go to a college campus." During the year, Peace by PEACE members visit elementary school classrooms for an hour once a week. "We play games, do skits and stuff; teach them about the basics. In bigger situations they will hopefully also apply the same thing."
-Staff Writer Jeff Katzenstein contributed to this article.
