Today we met with hundreds of children from two schools in Anchorage. At the Rogers Park School we were welcomed by over 300 children and teachers in the large gym.

Marilyn Doore and Linda Morgan helped to organize the event and were among the many teachers present as we ran in with the Torch. Linda is one of the staff of the Peer Mediators who we also met in our first event in Anchorage last week at a large Peer Mediator Rally.

The children who belong to the Peer Mediator program stood up to read from their mediator pledge. The pledge involves respect and understanding for others as well as trying to solve conflicts peacefully and creatively. This is closely related to the ideals of harmony that we also try to share.

After Salil and Palyati introduced the World Harmony Run and discussed with the children what harmony is and where we can find it, I was able to teach them our theme song which they sang quite enthusiastically.

The excitement really builds when the teachers get involved. Having them come up to pass the Torch among themselves, they each offered a verbal or silent thought of goodwill and peace to pass on. Then they jogged a lap around the gym to the delight of all the children.

This was a very colorful and creative school as one could see walking down the hallway with all the beautiful and unique artwork that the children and teachers have on display.

I had just enough time to run the four miles to the next school, called the Baxter School. Along the way I met some very nice people, young and old, who were quite happy to see the Torch being carried in their city.

Reaching the Baxter School, we had over 400 children and teachers to greet us in the large gym which had our motto, 'Harmony Begins with Me', in large hand-cut letters on the wall.

It truly was another exciting program organized by Palyati Susan Fouse, our local coordinator along with teacher Deb Huling-Plzak.

The children were all very enthusiastic as we sang the song with them, and the teachers once again got involved by running with and passing the Torch. Mrs. Vicki Hodge, the Principal, offered a nice message at the end of the program as we thanked everyone for inviting us to this wonderful school by offering our Certificate of Appreciation.

As the children filed out of the gym and back to class they all had a chance to touch the Torch and offer a good thought to pass on as we travel from school to school and city to city.

In this city of Anchorage which some call the 'Crossroads of the World', we have been truly blessed with good weather and wonderful people who are working hard to create a more harmonious environment for the present and the future.

– Arpan DeAngelo

Distance: 4 miles

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

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