DOTTIE BRADSHAW
26 students and 6 teachers sat in one circle; 32 different people from different cliques, different classes and grades. Some of the students were jocks, some were nerds, others were weirdos and others thought they were cool. The one thing we had in common was that we were all human and we all were labeled by who we hung out with. But just for those 2 days, we were labeled as human beings with feelings. Not as a jock, a weirdo, a geek or the popular person but as individual.
Power of peace is a very emotional program it brings out the inner you. It brings out the person you didn’t even know was there. If it wasn’t for those two days I would have never thought I would talk to a geek or weirdo. But after power of peace I have accepted people for who they are on the inside not the outside. I feel bad that it took those two days to realize that, but we live in a messed up society and we are labeled for who we hang out with. And if they are not in your clique, you can’t talk to other people from another clique.
This program was made to bring us together by the power of peace. It taught us never to judge a book by its cover. This program really does bring out the best of you. I recommend this program to everyone. Truthfully, the whole school needs it, but unfortunately we can’t all experience it at once. If we could, this school would be a better place. We all would communicate by the power of peace.
AJAH TIMMS
i am Ajah Timms, a freshman at Peekskill High School. I am 15 years old and I am doing well adjusting to the high school. I was very fortunate to be selected by my teachers for a Power of Peace workshop in March. At first I thought going to Power of Peace would be wack, corny, and boring. However, I wanted to get out of classes, so I said yes. I attended on the first day and didn’t know any of the people and judged them all by what was on the outside. We started to participate in games and activities that helped us communicate with each other. By the second day, all of us learned that we have things in common and some things that are unique. As we shared with each other, we also realized that each person has their own story to tell.
I am really happy that I went through this program as I now talk to more people and I try not to judge people by their appearance.
TANISHA CREWE
BLACKS: barely known for their academics, mostly known for fighting or playing sports. WHITES: people who are labeled best-dressed, smart, or high class. HISPANICS: people that are called dumb, stupid, non-intelligent because they came from another country. Why do we label our peers by their race? Why not label them by their personality or how talented they are? My experience with the Power of Peace program showed me that all different ethnicities can actually come together and communicate with each other without arguing or fighting. Before I experienced Power of Peace, I was a person who kept her feelings bundled up inside. I stayed to myself, not caring about what other people had to say or thought about me. Power of Peace brought out the best in me. It helped me trust and understand people more deeply. It also gave me the opportunity to put myself in other people’s shoes and made me understand the person that I really am and what I can be in life.Experiencing Power of Peace made me realize that there are other people out there going through similar situations to myself. The facilitator Mike said, “you are not alone.” There is someone out there that may be going through the same thing you are. For example, some of us might grow up in a home where there is abuse, some of us might have gone through the foster care system, some of us might have seen our loved ones on drugs, or even experienced the death of a loved one. Power of Peace made me realize that I am not that different from other people. I have to love and cherish every single thing I have and not take my family or friends for granted. I learned to value everything and everyone in my life because unfortunately we don’t realize something that is good until it is gone.
Whether I was playing basketball at lunch or interacting with my peers in different activities (without complaining or fighting), it gave me the feeling of confidence and let me step out of my comfort zone. It showed me that everyone could get along. All you have to do is be aware of your surroundings, open up your heart, and not label anyone. Quite simply, I learned not to judge a book by its cover. I also learned it doesn’t hurt to go up to someone you don’t know and introduce yourself because you never know what could happen. You may make that person’s day and I guarantee that you’ll feel good about yourself for making someone else happy.