As the World Harmony Run circles the globe children from the City of Hialeah’s Creative Learning and Play (CL&P) 12 after-school programs passed the flaming World Harmony Torch figuratively from continent to continent. At Milander Park, continents were depicted by a table decorated with drawings and pictures about the continent and intermingled with the messages of harmony.

This was the third Hialeah Harmony Run event since 2005. Each year has brought something new to the event. For example, a Harmony Quilt created by the after-school programs was exhibited at the entrance to the park. Chayma Gomez, Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist with the City of Hialeah came up with the idea of the quilt. Using the World Harmony Run curriculum as a base, she came up with the idea to have the children express what harmony meant to them on 4”X4” cards. These cards were laminated then sewn together to create the Harmony Quilt.

Another new element to this year’s Hialeah Harmony Run was bringing in dance and color with the Henry H. Filer Middle School Dance Team performing a Brazilian Samba piece during they event.

Since its inception, the Hialeah Harmony Run has been spearheaded by Chayma Gomez and Maria Gomez, Literacy Program Director. With the assistance of Marla Alpizar, Education and Community Services (ESC) Director, ESC staff and support from Mayor Julio Robaina’s office, the City put together a program where camp directors and teachers worked with the children—teaching them about the Harmony Run and guiding them as they created the finished the products exhibited at the event. This culminated with the children getting the opportunity to hold the lit Harmony Torch and offering a silent prayer for world harmony.

City of Hialeah Councilwoman Vivian Casáls-Muñoz came as the representative from the Mayor Robaina’s office to present the proclamation—declaring November 7th as World Harmony Day. She was so impressed and moved with the event that she could not keep herself from running with the Torch, heels and all! In both Spanish and English, Councilwoman Casáls-Muñoz explained to the audience: “The most beautiful thing that we have tonight is that this isn’t about money. This is about something that is so important in the world—which is harmony, peace and harmony!” The councilwoman stressed the importance of harmony beginning with the children and that the parents could learn from the children.

She also congratulated 14-year-old David Morrison, Jr., from Lake Mary, FL, the youngest team member of the U.S. World Harmony Run. David ran for one month this summer, away from his parents and brothers, as the team covered 2,000 miles from Seattle to Chicago. David’s mother, Cynthia, who is of Mexican origin also addressed the crowd in her native Spanish. Cynthia was a part of the very first run in 1987. At the time she was still living in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Durjaya and Drishti Pliske, who were also a part of the inaugural run in 1987, shared with the crowd their experiences over the years, in the U.S. and abroad.

Participation of the City of Hialeah Police Cadets this year was another new addition to the program. The Cadets escorted in the banner alongside members of Florida World Harmony organizers and Casáls-Muñoz at the centre holding the Torch.

The type of cooperation we saw by the different entities within the City of Hialeah and Coordinators of the World Harmony Run is exactly what the Harmony Run is all about. We approach a municipality but it is their openness to the idea, their willingness to provide the infrastructure and the citizens’ enthusiasm, especially the children, which make it all possible. But, above all, it is our collective aspirations for a better world that make the World Harmony Run a success.

People feel something so special when the hold the Harmony Torch. As we were leaving, one cadet approached me, wanting to know about participating in the future. “I’ll be graduating next year,” he explained, “But I want to participate again.”

– Luntitha Duthely

Team Members:
David Morrison Jr. (USA), Jack Morrison (USA), Kevin Morrison (USA), Cynthia Morrison (Mexico), David Morrison Sr. (USA), Luntitha Duthely (USA), Durjaya Pliske (USA), Dristhi Pliske (USA)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.