Leaving our hotel near Central Anchorage surrounded by the lovely Chugach Mountains which are still half covered in snow, we made our way to the first of three schools for the day arranged by our good friend and local coordinator Palyati. She took us to the Chinook Elementary School where Cheryl Hilmes had help to organize about 400 children in the auditorium.

It was truly heartwarming as they sang the World Harmony Run song along with the recording of it as we ran in with the Torch to the excitement of everyone. Some of the children made a huge banner for us which served as a backdrop for the ceremony. The children sang their school song , ‘King Salmon’ which is another name for the huge Chinook fish common to Alaska.

During the program we also met some of the student mediators who help to solve problems mostly in the school playground. There were many mediators from each grade who all learn how to create an environment of harmony among the students. Jordan, Jesse and Yeng Hu, three of the student mediators carried the Torch with us and at the end they offered us very nice water bottles with their school logo. It was an exciting and educational experience for us as we left with fond memories to carry with us.

We ran to the second school of the day, Taku Elementary. Mrs. O’Connell-Smith, the Principal, was very excited to have us come to their school where preparations had been going on for days. Mrs. Hawn, the art teacher, had given the children opportunities to create artwork for us which they each personally presented to us as they entered the auditorium.

The music teacher taught the children our theme song along with very creative movements depicting the meaning of each line in the song. Needless to say the children taught us quite well and with much enthusiasm.

Finishing off our usual ceremony with the teachers running around the gym with the Torch is always a tremendous thrill for the children. They route on their favorite teachers and scream with delight as the teachers really get into it with all the enthusiasm of the children.

Taku Elementary really captured the meaning and spirit of the World Harmony Run and we are very grateful to all the children and teachers for their participation and support.

Palyati, our local coordinator here in Anchorage, brought us to the Alaska Surgical Center after leaving Taku, for a unique experience. A Nurse and Surgical Assistant, Barb Wortman, expressed interest in carrying the Torch after learning about our event from her daughter.

She came down to the parking lot, still in her surgical outfit, to hold the Torch with us for a few photos. She got so excited that she took off, running quite briskly around the parking lot to the surprise of some of her colleagues as well as us. We are very happy and grateful for such a sincere and spontaneous display of enthusiasm and oneness with the spirit of the World Harmony Run.

Our last school for the day was Baxter Elementary. About 300 children were waiting for us along with Miss Deb Huling-Plzcak, the Physical Education teacher, and the rest of the teaching staff.

Miss Plzcak was very enthusiastic as she took the Torch after our presentation and led the teachers around the gym. She started sprinting as some of the teachers tried to keep up the pace. Usually the children are the ones that have a hard time running slowly with the Torch without taking off. But this time it was some of the teachers who displayed the energy and enthusiasm of the children.

We are grateful to all the schools, children and staff alike, for their unique, creative and enthusiastic participation in our events, making our trip to Alaska a truly memorable and energizing experience.

Arpan and the Alaskan ‘Harmony Huskies’

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