Flying into Anchorage, as opposed to running, one could see the fascinating ranges of snow covered mountains bordering the north and east of this beautiful city. As the main team completes its run up the Mississippi River by reaching Kentucky and heading west, our small team consisting of Palyati and John Fouse, Arpan and Salil, started their own events in the most northern and captivating state, Alaska.

Our first stop was the City Park in downtown Anchorage where the Annual Peer Mediator Rally welcomed us with enthusiasm and energetic excitement. Some of the 375 children and teachers present there lined up to form a tunnel that we ran through to get to the stage and offer our message of peace and harmony.

After we were introduced by Susie Palyati Fouse, our local coordinator, the Torch Bearer Award was offered to Wendy Constantine. Wendy has been teaching in the Anchorage school system for 20 years and was the Coordinator for Peaceable Schools and RCCP(Resolving Conflicts Creatively Program) for 9 years.

We were also honored to have the Anchorage Schools Superintendent, Carol Cameau, hold the Torch and share her messages with the children. We are grateful to the many other teachers and administrators present including Becky Severensen and Cheryl Chilmers who, along with their peers, have helped to make this Peer Mediator Rally a valuable and fun experience for the children. The children who were selected here have contributed to harmony in their own schools by trying to mediate conflicts peacefully and creatively.

Cal Williams, a captivating storyteller, then offered valuable messages to the children through his fascinating and entertaining stories.

Then the children offered their beautiful artwork in the form of mosaic types of paper quilts on the themes of multicultural peace and harmony.

Following this uplifting ceremony surrounded by the Chugach Mountain Range, our small group went to the Princess Tour Train called the 'Midnight Sun Express'. Palyati, who works as a tour guide there, invited us to a free lunch on the train. It was marvelous service along with delicious food that was quite fresh and tasty for train cuisine.

After the delicious lunch we headed over to another part of Anchorage to be welcomed by about 300 children in the William Tyson Elementary School. Kara Erlwein, one of the teachers there, enthusiastically arranged for us to present the children with our program which ended with our song and all the teachers jogging around the auditorium with the Torch. One teacher even followed the Torch on crutches, the first time that has happened.

As the children filed out of the auditorium they each touched the Torch and offered a short thought or prayer for something positive. In this way we feel that each person can participate in their own personal way to be part of the Harmony and goodwill that we wish to inspire around this country and the world at large.

As usual, John and Palyati Susie Fouse took care of us in every way, offering us accommodations and food and rides everywhere. Without them none of this would be possible and Alaska would be a far off dreamland for the World Harmony Run.

Gratefully,

Arpan and Salil

– Arpan DeAngelo

Distance: 4 miles

Team Members:
Salil Wilson (Australia), Arpan DeAngelo (N.Y.,USA), Palyati Susie Fouse (Alaska, USA), John Fouse (Alaska, USA)

Gallery: See more images!