'Whirled Peace' at John Fenwick Academy

Students from Salem's John Fenwick Academy celebrate 'Whirled Peace'
Posted on 09/22/2014
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Students from Salem's John Fenwick Academy celebrate 'Whirled Peace'
South Jersey Times By Alex Young 
September 22, 2014 

SALEM — Peace can mean a lot of things for different people, and that's no different for the students at Salem's John Fenwick Academy.

Some thought peace was playing video games. Some thought it was about family. Others thought peace was just plain being nice to people.

No matter their different thoughts on what peace is, the students from pre-k to second grade got the chance to share a peaceful Monday afternoon at the school's 8th annual International Peace Day celebration.

The kids spent the afternoon singing and dancing along to peaceful and joyful songs like Pharrell's "Happy" and "Let it Go" from the movie Frozen while waving their own custom designed pinwheels.

The students made the pinwheels in art class leading up to peace day to participate in "Pinwheels for Peace," a national art project started in 2005 by two Florida art teachers.

In designing the pinwheels, students are told to imagine what "Whirled Peace" means to them around the globe and in their own lives.

A few of the school's second graders volunteered to read poems that they wrote especially for Monday's celebration. Even though some of them were a little nervous about speaking in front of the whole school, they stood tall and explained exactly what the day meant for them.

Jayden Spicer said it was all about love and friendship.

"It is about family and friends," he said. "It is about everybody."

Khaleysia Williams said the day gave them a chance to show off how peaceful and loving they are. She also said exactly what made her feel at peace.

"It's about playing with my friends, my mom and my dad," she said.

Vernon Banks said being peaceful was as easy as being nice, kind and respectful. RicQuana Ross said peace day was about getting along with other people.

It was a picture perfect day for the event. The early-autumn weather was warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, and a nice breeze kept everyone cool. Quincy Barge said the weather was perfect for peace day.

"Peace day is about games and playing outside," he said. "It's about being nice to people, being hopeful and not being shy."