To start the day we went to the Sequoia Elementary School and waited for the signal to run into an auditorium full of 200 enthusiastic children, teachers and parents as well.
Cristian, one of our official photographers from Romania, eagerly awaits our entry.
We are welcomed by some of the children lining the walkway to the school with 'high fives.'
We had a warm welcome at the entrance by Principal Ryan Kissel, holding the Peace Torch with Salil Wilson, Executive Director of the Peace Run.
Most of the other children in the school also greeted us enthusiastically as we entered the hall.
The students were ready with artwork,poetry, a muscial play and this colorful sign.
Their creativity on the theme of peace was posted beautifully everywhere, making us feel right at home.
The younger children performed a very impressive and talented rendition of the popular children's story, 'Stone Soup'.
Great costumes and choreography.
The villagers pretending to sleep as they wanted to avoid the hungry soldiers coming for food.
The soldiers gathered the townsfolk around the big pot of boiling water to make a delicious soup for everyone to enjoy.
Two young narrators read out the scenes as the play proceeds.
The children performed a beautiful song between each scene.
Salil experiences some Harmony as he enjoys the show and takes a break from filming.
The very talented play troupe gets to pass the Peace Torch after their wonderful performance of 'Stone Soup'.
After the play our team offered our presentation to the school.
Teachers and parents took our their phones and tablets to record this historic event.
The children finding peace in their hearts.
Cathy Oerter offers the children medals for their creative artwork and poetry with the theme, 'Visions of A Peaceful World'.
All the award winners with Cathy Oerter. This creative arts program was inspired by her late husband, Al Oerter, a four time Gold Medalist in four separate Olympic Games who also, as a great artist, inspired athletes to express their artistic talents as well.
Fifth Grade teacher, Mr. Roy, enjoyed holding the Peace Torch for the children to touch and offer a good thought or make a wish for peace.
We ended our wonderful event forming a giant peace sign with the children and staff members out in the playground.
Salil films from the rooftop as the peace sign now becomes a peace run around the blacktop.
Coming in for the finish.
This is one of the favorite events in our program. The children finally have a chance to run for Peace with the Peace Torch and flags.
We ran to our next school, the Cadman Elementary School.
We were once again welcomed by beautiful 'peace' artwork lining the walls.
The hall was filled with aout 200 students and staff members well prepared and excited to meet with us.
The children sang a 'Welcome' song from Nigeria led by musical Director Kirk Johnson.
Principal Elizabeth Ballard participated with the children in singing the song, 'The World Is A Rainbow.'
We offered our program as usual which included our introduction game, Peace song, and awards for the children's creativity.
We were also quite fortunate in having Stephen Groce, Town Councilman of Clairemont and member of the Human Relations Committee. He kindly offered his profound words on peace and its importance and relevance in the community.
The whole school took part in our World Harmony Song including actions to the words written by Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the Peace Run.
Cathy and Papaha with six medalists for the visual arts and writing contest called 'Visions of a Peaceful World.'
Principal Ballard accepts a colorful painting by Sri Chinmoy from Prakhara, our Public Relations Director.
Kiera Hoech sings solo as the rest of the choir joins in on a very beautiful peace song.
We get to enjoy some of the colorful artwork as we make our way outside to join the children in passing the Peace Torch.
Manorath, one of our main local coordinators, carries our official Peace Run flag as he gets a chance to enjoy the run outside with the children.
We made a big circle and passed the torch around for the children to make wishes for peace and harmony.
Some children find it hard to let go of the torch and pass it on. Maybe he was just making a long wish.
Okay, Ill let you have it.
Thank you, that's oneness.
A proud mom shares the Torch with her very young possible future Peace Runner.
Councilman Stephen Groce offers his sincere smile and joy at coming to Cadman Elementary to share the creative energy and peace with the children. We are very grateful to him for his support and encouragement.
Some of the Cadman Eagle Runners ready for a run around the neighborhood.
Warm-ups for our mile run onto the streets.
And off they go with some ambitious adults to accompany them.
We had to keep reminding the children to slow down. Once they held the torch it was so natural for them to feel the energy and pick up the pace.
Our last school for the day was the CPMA, Creative, Performing and Media Arts School with about 1,000 students.
We had a warm welcome as we ran into the schoolyard and then we were joined by some of the students for a lap around the parking lot.
As we entered the large auditorium we were welcomed by a very large and rhythmical djembe drum group.
As
Runners took turns carrying the Torch around the large hall and spelling the word peace on the stage as the last runner, Principal Scott Thomason, proudly holds the Peace Torch with the children.
Our team enjoys the incredibly enthusiastic and energetic welcome.
The students also enjoy the show.
A very large group of dancers offer a well choreographed performance for us.
We in turn offer our short program of introductions, Peace Song and art awards.
Our exercise on feeling peace in the heart always seems to get the students involved in experiencing peace within themselves.
Some students even feel genuine joy as well.
These young adults received their well-deserved awards for excellence in their creative writing and artwork on the theme of peace in a program called 'Visions of a Peaceful World'.
A young rapper from 'Prophets of Peace' offers his very rhythmical and meaningful poem for us before we depart. We are so grateful to all those who organized and participated in this wonderful event today.
