First Place National Winning Essay

First and Second Grades

Theme: I Make Peace in my Heart When I...

I feel peace in my heart when I know that I have helped someone do something they think they can't do. It is like making something impossible possible. I know that others are being helped. And that is what makes me have peace in my heart.

Andy Davis, 2nd Grade (age 8)
Holy Family School, St. Petersburg, FL
Teacher: Mrs. Pam Miner

Second Place National Winning Essay (Tie)

First and Second Grades

Theme: I Make Peace in my Heart When I...

I make peace in my heart when I help people. I love people. When I see someone crying I help them. I like to play with friends when they are sad. I like giving toys to people. I love to make peace. I love the world. I can help.

Lenora Carter, 2nd Grade (age 7)
Nuestro Elementary, Live Oak, CA
Teacher: Mrs. Judy Bailey

Second Place National Winning Essay (Tie)

First and Second Grades

Theme: I Make Peace in my Heart When I...

I make peace in my heart when I care for people. I like all kinds of people and I am kind to everybody. When I know people think good thoughts about me it makes me feel good. Thinking good thoughts about others makes me feel peace in my heart.

Shamari Griffin, 2nd Grade (age 7)
Vance Elementary, Vance, AL
Teacher: Kem Fields

Third Place National Winning Essay

First and Second Grades

Theme: I Make Peace in my Heart When I...

I make peace in my heart when I help others. I help my brother when he is hurt. I make peace in my heart when my brother thinks a favorite toy is broken and I help him make it right. When I have joy in my heart, there is joy in his.

David Vivian, 2nd Grade (age 8)
Holy Family School, St. Petersburg, FL
Teacher: Pam Miner/Maureen Zientek

First Place National Winning Essay

Third through Sixth Grades

Theme: What I Can Do for World Peace in the Next Twelve Months

World Peace begins at home, at the neighbors and around town. As I begin the new year, each month my heart will look for new compassions and kindness I can extend to my family, friends, neighbors and people of my community.

I will start my goal for world peace with a positive outlook each day. I will make each morning easier for my parents by being prepared for school and the day. Take time each morning to smile and be thankful for my home, family and the many blessings that surround me. As I travel through each day I will take more time to spend with friends, and always remind them how special they are to me.

I will also commit my time, efforts and energies to expand my knowledge of the wonderful world community, to better understand how their religious beliefs, traditions, and contributions enhance my life each day.

Britney Gary, 5th Grade (age 11)
Brooker Elementary, Brandon, FL
Teacher: Brad Frisch

Second Place National Winning Essay (tie)

Third through Sixth Grades

Theme: What I Can Do for World Peace in the Next Twelve Months

How can a little boy in Richmond, Virginia, help world peace? I can be a role model for younger children.

Kids are the future of our world. If children see me being nice to others, they'll see that violence isn't right. Love and peace are spread from heart to heart, like candles lighting each other. If those candles are blown out, there is not peace but hate.

To spread that flame, I can congratulate the other team after a baseball game. I can share with my friends and family. I can do so much for peace by just being kind and caring.

I want to spread that burning candle in my heart to other people. By being a role model, I can show others how to be kind. And if everybody was kind and caring, there would be peace in this world.

Danny Melson, 5th Grade (age 10)
Dumbarton Elementary, Richmond, VA
Teacher: Mrs. Cooke

Second Place National Winning Essay (tie)

Third through Sixth Grades

Theme: What I Can Do for World Peace in the Next Twelve Months

Peace is an act of kindness. It means to take care of yourself, others, and the environment. By bringing happiness to others, you are making a strong connection of peace. It is a way of life.

By visiting others who are sick and helping those who have problems, I can create peace. It might be that special touch, or those considerate words that really make a difference in someone's life. I can also make a difference by understanding others, their culture, and way of life. "Small acts can really make a big difference."

By making that special connection, I am taking small steps towards understanding different points of view. If every person on earth did this, we could bring about world peace. If we showed respect to each other, the world would be a better place to live in. We would have peace in our hearts and peace on earth.

Romy Kalvaria, 6th Grade (age 12)
Indialantic Elementary, Indialantic, FL
Teacher: Julie Schneider

Third Place National Winning Essay (tie)

Third through Sixth Grades

Theme: What I Can Do for World Peace in the Next Twelve Months

I believe that world peace is something we should all work toward. It is something easy to say "What can I do? I'm just one person of the millions in the world." But, if we realize that each of us can make a difference on an individual basis, we will move one step closer to world peace. In the next twelve months I plan to do the following as my part: (1) I will start at home by respecting my parents and honoring them. (2) I will obey my teachers and learn from them. (3) I will treasure my friends and show them kindness. (4) I will help those who are less fortunate than myself, and give a cheerful heart.

I know these may seem simple, but I believe they are building blocks to create a foundation for World Peace.

Lauren C. Craig, 4th Grade (age 9)
Freddy Gonzalez Elementary, Edinburg, TX
Teacher: Mrs. Koen

Third Place National Winning Essay (tie)

Third through Sixth Grades

Theme: What I Can Do for World Peace in the Next Twelve Months

If anybody can be counted on to make world peace, it's me! My ideas are simple: stop spreading rumors, accept people for who they are, and make friends with everyone.

First, I can accomplish world peace by not spreading nasty, heartbreaking rumors. When rumors start, it's virtually impossible to stop them. Even a simple rumor can ruin someone's life instantly. Think before you speak.

Another vital thing I will do to accomplish world peace is make FRIENDS!! I will accept people for what they are, not what I want them to be. I'll show loyalty and stand up for friends. I'll introduce them to each other, creating a "Chain of Peace."

My accomplishments aren't stopping wars or anything like that, because it starts with me. Maybe this plan can start a world living in "peace and harmony."