Committed to Radiant Peace

Kindergarten through Third Grades

I would tell a child from another country that I would like to see peace in the world. I think if we knew more about each other there might be peace. I would ask him how he lives and tell him about me. Understanding each other will help make peace in the world.

Rebecca Karttunen, Third Grade, age 8
Christ Lutheran School, Cape Coral, Fla.
Teacher: Mrs. West

What I would say is that peace is something you are grateful for having. Peace is not rudeness or being mean, peace is being grateful for what you’ve got, and being nice. Peace is not hurtful. People are great and peaceful on the inside, so don’t ruin yourselves.

Nici Johnson, Third Grade, age 8
St. George Elementary School, St. George, Fla.
Teacher: Debbie Berges

I am a peaceful person when I get along with my brother even when he is mean to me. I am also peaceful when I am good, not bad. Anyone can have peace if they try. Imagine if the world was at peace all the time. I would love that!

Laurel Leavitt, Second Grade, age 8
Sweetwater Episcopal Academy, Longwood, Fla.
Teacher: Denise Sulewski

I am a peaceful person when I am outside in the cool breeze of the wind. When the breeze rustles through my shiny black hair. When the wind has to brush up against my body with a peaceful sway. The wind is my peace as peaceful as can be.

Jacinta Zhané Kimbrough, Second Grade, age 7
St. Mark’s School, Cocoa, Fla.
Teacher: Mrs. Greene

Fourth Grade through Eighth Grade

Theme: How I Make a More Peaceful World
OR "If I were talking to children in the Mideast, what would I say to help them understand Peace?"

Human beings across the world are all praying for world peace. Every individual has his or her own ways of living and acting. To me, being polite and treating others in a respectful manner is the most I can offer to the idea of world peace. Though this method of grasping peace and holding it is a wonderful and admirable idea, it is almost impossible. One can only do so much. Being nice and treating people like you would like to be treated is the one way that I am able to make peace. Peace has been on people’s minds every since the beginning of time. There are many factors that keep peace from arising, and the most is greed. Wanting to be the best and have the most are thoughts that keep a peaceful way of living from occurring. In conclusion, being a helpful, caring person is how I make peace.

Ashley Alvarez, Eighth Grade, age 14
Neptune Middle School, Kissimmee, Fla.
Teacher: Mrs. Davis
 

If I were talking to children in the Middle East, and wanted to help them understand Peace, I would start with love. Love is the center of peace, the friendship love, the real love, the understanding love. I would tell them to create peace you must always try to come to an agreement and to understand the other person’s need, yet don’t forget your own. I would tell them always to try to create peace because peace is the universal answer to harmony, love and caring for each other and the world. They will understand peace after this.

Nimmerta Sangera, Seventh Grade, age 12
Nuestro School, Live Oak, Calif.
Teacher: Mrs. Nina Sharma

"How I Make a More Peaceful World"

I want to help make the world a more peaceful place to live. I try everyday to be a better person. Hopefully, I can be a good example for someone.

When I come across someone who seems unhappy or having a bad day I try to show kindness and a friendly attitude towards them. A kind word can really make a difference. I always try to offer a helping hand to people around me.

In our world there is prejudice and anger towards different races and religions. I try to look at just the person and not the color of their skin or their religious beliefs. I simply try to get along with everyone. I feel we are all different and special in our own way. I hope by caring for my fellow man I contribute to making a more peaceful world for us all to live in.

Brandon Sparks, Fifth Grade, age 11
Woodland Forrest School, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Teacher: M. Shepherd

I was talking to a Middle Eastern child, who asked me what peace was. I began explaining peace was loving, caring, and sharing.

I explained loving as a trait of peace. Having love for another person is peace. Having a special place in your heart for someone also plays a major role in peace. Having love is a main thing in peace, love is a powerful thing.

Caring is also a great thing in peace. Everybody caring what you have to say. Caring about people with sickness and disease, is what warms a caring heart. Your fellow men caring for you. Caring is what my country needs.

Sharing is also important in peace. Sharing dreams, thoughts, and love for one another. You share happiness and fun. You can even share a piece of your mind. Peace is incomplete without sharing.

That is what peace is to me. Peace is the best thing in the world. Peace is just a glorious thing.

Kyle Phillips, Fifth Grade, age 10
Walker Elementary School, Northport, Ala.
Teacher: Mrs. Pat Markin

"If I were talking to children in the Mideast what would I say to help them understand peace?"

Peace is a way of life. Peace is when two different sides of people get along in harmony. Some people say peace is calmness and quietness. But to truly understand peace, you can’t learn it from the words from someone else’s mouth. Peace can mean united in harmony.

Or it can mean no war. Peace is spiritual and verbal. Some people haven’t learned what peace is. It’s more than not fighting.  It’s an individual understanding.

Peace comes from the heart. But the problem is that in this world where people are selfish and greedy, it’s almost impossible to have world peace. But, if we all work together, hopefully we can accomplish peace. So in conclusion, this is what I would tell the Mideast children.

And I would tell them my opinion, which is: peace is when everyone of all the races can come together in unity.

Karina De La Peña, Seventh Grade, age 12
St. Timothy Parish School, Miami, Fla.
Teacher: Mrs. Reyes