LGW celebrates its 20th anniversary mobilizing 800 students in favor of Peace 

Danilo Parmegiani

Newark/New Jersey – More than 800 students from Oliver Street School participated in the special edition of the Peace and Good Will Garden, promoted by the Legion of Good Will this Friday, October 27th, in commemoration of LGW’s 20th Anniversary in USA. The students dedicated a whole week debating on the importance of Peace in American schools. They produced art works, poems and essays for a contest under the theme “How can I inspire others to be a Peacemaker.”

Due to the difference of ages and categories, the presentations had to be broken down in three parts. The first part was between Pre-K and 3rd grade, in which the finalists presented the best Art Work. Among 200 posters, the judges chose three finalists and one winner, which was Kindergarten Room 105 with a poster representing diversity and harmony in a world of peace. The students of 4th, 5th and 6th grade wrote poems about “How do you picture a peaceful garden”. Edward Paz, from 6th grade Room 410, won the best poetry: “A School of Peace.” Last, but not least, the 7th and 8th graders ran for the best essay writing and the winner, 7th grader Gabriely de Almeida, won with her inspiring essay entitled: “How can I inspire others to be a Peacemaker?” The winners won prizes and a pizza party sponsored by Dominos Pizza and Malaman Imports Corp.

The Youth representative of the Legion of Good Will, Mariana Malaman, reminded that this project is based on the Ecumenical Citizen Pedagogy, created by the educator Paiva Netto: “The main objective of the Peace and Good Will Garden is to plant the seed of love, solidarity and peace in the hearts of those who are the future: the children.”

The Oliver Street School Band also contributed to the presentations under Mr. John Fritsky guidance. The Principal Mariana Golden evaluated the action as “very important for the child development because they’ll grow up with these values and character traits. Congratulation to the LGW for this beautiful work”. 

Translation: Mariana Malaman
pictures: Danilo e Vieira Filho