Two runners, Dennis and Arpan, resting their legs before our first ceremony at the Orlando City Hall this morning.
Children from the Nap Ford Community School were waiting for us at City Hall.
We gave them a bit of information as to how we got there from New York and where we are going after we leave there.
The children read out some peace poems for us and Orlando City Commissioner Daisy W. Lynum.
Commissioner Lynum receives the Torch Bearer Award for her outstanding service to the community for many years.
The whole Team, children and Commissioner in the Council Chambers.
The children then helped us carry the torch over a mile to their school.
The children really enjoyed the oneness of carrying the torch.
One of many signs created by the children at the Nap Ford Community School.
Another great sign created by these children.
They even had a dynamic Jembe Drum Ensemble to welcome us to the school.
Some of the children read out peace poems with the help of Ashley Sanchez, the Physical Education teacher who kindly helped to organize the event.
Some of the children received Good Character Awards, important for creating a peaceful community.
A new teacher receives an award for her kindness and helpfulness with the children.
The award winners with Ashley Sanchez.
Finding peace within.
Abhejali and the children chanting our motto,'Peace Begins with Me'
Bishop Wiggins and Dr. Joy Taylor receive the Torch Bearer Award
Presenting Dr. Porter Smith, Principal at the Nap School, with a Certificate of Appreciation and a gift of Harmony paintings by Sri Chinmoy, the Founder of the Peace Run.
Later in the day we were greeted by Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs who offered us a Proclamation designating this day as Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Day in Orlando.
Winged Runners.
Donna Wyche, Division Manager from the Health Services Department of Orange County shares a moment of Peace with us as she holds the torch. She deals with mental health and homeless issues in the Orlando area.
After lunch we met at the Sri Chinmoy Peace Tree in nearby Sanford which was dedicated a year ago at beautiful Fort Mellon Park.
Our team and children from Layer Elementary School of Winter Springs, including their Principal, Kelly Novak, meet us there and help carry the torch to the next location.
Happy runners.
Teamwork.
Proudly holding the torch high.
Mayor of Sanford, Jeff Triplet, receives the torch at City Hall.
Mayor Triplett offers his kind words of wisdom on peace and harmony in the community. He also offered a letter of support for Sri Chinmoy's 50 years of manifestations for peace in the world.
Mayor Triplet offers our local Coordinator, Santiva Morrison, a Proclamation for the Peace Run.
Mayor Triplett receives our Certificate of Appreciation for his warm welcome and kind words.
The children from Layer Elementary read out their poems for peace.
These runners from the Layer Elementary School proudly display their Certificates of Appreciation as well.
Spanish Moss naturally decorates many of the trees in Florida.
Later today we ran the torch to Layer Elementary School in Winter Springs, Seminole County, where hundreds of children with signs and costumes were eagerly awaiting our arrival.
Many countries were represented with signs, flags and customary apparell.
High fives for our runners.
Beautiful artwork.
Dave Morrison,Jr. carries the torch around the driveway with the runners,
After one lap with the torch all of the children and teachers joined us for a lap in a colorful international parade in which many countries were creatively represented.
Canada's Maple Leaf Flag was one of the brightest.
France was very enthusiastic as were other 'countries'.
After the parade we had a nice ceremony in the back of the school. Peace poems were read out in their own languages by some of the children.
Some students really were trying to feel peace in the heart.
Our skits always give the children a chuckle and a chance to judge whether we are displaying harmony and peace or not.
Yep. That's good and peaceful.
Principal Kelly Novak most deservedly gets our Certificate of Appreciation for her tremendous work with the children and staff here at Layer Elementary.
The school offers their very nicely designed blue shirts to our runners.
All the children had an opportunity to touch the torch and make a wish or prayer for peace.
Many happy smiles for peace.
These happy faces make all of our efforts worthwhile.
Planting a Peace Tree at Layer Elementary with Principal Kelly Novak.
Some of our team members ran the torch through Lake Mary to the town center park where we were greeted by the Mayor and others from the community.
The Lake Mary Peace Tree planted last year for world harmony and peace.
Our final event of the day was a Peace Walk and ceremony with Lake Mary Mayor David Mealor and some of the townsfolk and children.
We walked from the Peace Tree to the Historical Society Museum.
At the Historical Society Museum in Lake Mary.
In the museum we were treated to displays of some books and artwork of Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the Peace Run.
Some of Sri Chinmoy's many books with the theme of Peace and Harmony.
Jharna-Kalal artwork by Sri Chinmoy, Founder of the Peace Run.
The children had artwork on display also from an art contest earlier in the year.
We introduced ourselves in customary fashion, having the people guess where we are from, with a few hints.
Executive Director of the Interfaith Council of Central Florida, James Coffin, offers his kind words and a letter of support for Sri Chinmoy's 50 years of peace manifestation.
Michael and Sheila Kramer, owners of the Lake Mary Life Magazine, receive the Torch Bearer Award for their hard work and outstanding service to the community.
Sheila Kramer offers Tina Calderon our Torch Bearer Award. Tina is from the Seminole County Board of Education and has instituted many programs for children over the years.
Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger receives the Torch Bearer Award for his tireless service for many decades to help protect the people of his community including Lake Mary.
Jeanne Gold receives the Torch Bearer Award for her many years of tireless efforts creating the Safe House, a refuge for abused and homeless women and children in Seminole County.
Lake Mary Police Chief Steve Bracknell receives the Torch Bearer Award for his dedication preserving the safety and well-being of the citizens of Lake Mary and in this way fostering peace in our community.
Our dynamic coordinator Santiva Morrison, who arranged everything for us today, honors Commissioner Allan F. Plank, who recently passed away, for his public service to the community. He was the chairman of the Lake Mary Historical Museum among many other contributions to the community. He will be sadly missed.
Mayor Mealor offers this special Torch Bearer Award award for the late Allan Plank to Jane Kenovich, President of the Historical Society of Lake Mary. Jane also prepared some of the meal for us today along with her daughter Jennifer who is a professional chef. Jacob Acevedo, who received the Torch Bearer Award, is Jennifer's son and Jane's grandson.
We honored Jacob Acevedo today with the Torch Bearer Award for his community service in the city of Lake Mary. Always helping out in events, we love his big heart, his enthusiasm and wonderful disposition. He is a 9 yr old student in Lake Mary Elementary School and an honor student.
