Starting our World Harmony Run local events in Connecticut, the state where I was born and raised, was a special thrill for me. Today we began with a very inspiring run at a state park near my mother’s home which is where I grew up as well. As we carried the Torch for a few photos by Lake Wintergreen I could not help to think about all the times I had spent here running on my own and enjoying the harmony of nature in such a natural setting so close to my old home.

This was a significant day for me as four of us, plus my mother, made our way to St. Rita’s School which was only a few miles away. The event was organized by our friend Archee Moffitt, who teaches music there. All the children spent two weeks in preparation for this function to welcome us and offer their own creative ideas about world harmony.

Father Charlie, the head priest at St. Rita’s Church and Sister Barbara, the principal of the school, led the procession into the large gymnasium, carrying the Torch as many children carrying international flags followed them.

We were also welcomed by a large orchestra of fifth graders playing the World Harmony Run official song for us with tremendous enthusiasm.

Beautiful artwork by the children on the theme of harmony and peace decorated all the walls making the atmosphere colorful and energizing. A long banner of creative artistic expressions was also held by children of the Grade 5 as a backdrop while others read out their poems and compositions on the theme of harmony and peace.

Our own team of runners introduced ourselves and our various countries, asking the children to guess which country we each came from. It was a very touching moment when Father Charlie offered a prayer for the runners before we sang the World Harmony Run theme song with hundreds of children and adults joining in.

Having my mother there was an added treat for me but to my surprise it turns out that one of the teachers happened to be my second cousin, the daughter of a cousin of mine. I had not seen her since she was a child but she recognized my mother first. Her two young children who attend the school were surprised and happy that their ‘grand-uncle’ was the team captain of this World Harmony Run team. It was a great way for me to enjoy such a well organized and powerful event with friends and relatives in my own home town

From St. Rita's we headed south to Brookside Elementary School in Norwalk CT. There we met with Principal David and and Sports Director Tim Downey. Tim, a former international class Tennis player, was extremely moved by the concept of the run and was very enthusiastic about the run visiting Brookside right from the start.

The children had prepared artwork and gave us a heart warming welcome. They performed songs and then each child had a chance to hold the torch before running a lap through the corridors around the school.

The halls were filled with shrieks of joy and excitement as they followed the torch. This was probably the only time they had a chance to run in school corridors.

Thank you to the schools of Connecticut for a great beginning to this year's World Harmony Run

Arpan DeAngelo, Salil Wilson and Team Harmony

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