The Montevallo High School Peacemakers Student Organization contributed to International Peace Day celebrated on September 21^st by sponsoring a Peace Week celebration Monday, Sept. 16-Friday, Sept. 20.

International Peace Day was first celebrated in 1982 to promote the United Nations’ ideals of peace, focusing on worldwide peace for all humanity.

To celebrate Peace Week, a candle was lit on secretary Cathy Majors’ desk all week as a reminder to keep peace.  During the announcements, a student from Peacemakers read an anonymous quote about peace.

“It’s easy to hate your enemy,” senior Peacemakers’ Treasurer Austin Spears said, “but it takes a kind soul or strong soul to love your enemy.”

Peacemakers also promoted a canned food drive for Shelby Emergency Assistance to stock their shelves in order to provide for families in need at this time of year, when donations are a bit scant.  The school was split up into teams according to seventh periods to collect canned goods throughout the week.    On Friday, Sept. 20, the winning seventh period had a pizza party in union with Peacemakers.

 A peace poem contest was also held for students to write about global or personal peace.  Two poems were chosen to be read over the intercom, and the winners received a treat bag and an invitation to the pizza party.

Students were allowed to dress up like hippies on Friday, as well.  Peacemakers passed out peace buttons and temporary tattoos to students who were dressed up, or were caught doing an act of kindness.  Students and teachers who dressed up went to the field to take a photo of them making a human peace sign.

“It’s a good idea to let the student body be aware of Peace Week and a good way to get people involved with the canned food drive,” senior Peacemakers Co-President Ariana Falkner said. “Having people dress up is a good way to have peace recognized.”

“The purpose of Peace Week is to heighten the awareness of the meaning of peace in the world and in our own personal lives,” Peacemakers sponsor Rose D’Alessio said.  “Shelby Emergency is our first and foremost charity.”

 *This article first appeared at www.mhsspotlight.com, the online school newspaper of Montevallo High School.