On a bluebird morning, Chief of Police Rob Heun and four Anchorage Police Officers accompanied the World Harmony Run to open the annual Peer Mediator Rally held on the Park Strip on May 1, 2009.

Superintendent of Schools Carol Cuomo and President of the School Board Jeff Friedman were also there to honor the students who participate in the district’s Resolving Conflict Creatively Program.

Twelve schools were represented and about 500 students and teachers were in two lines creating a tunnel for the runners as they entered the event.

Here is one of the APD Officer running into the event.

Everyone was encouraged to touch the torch as they made their way to assemble on their colorful parachutes for the 2 and a half hour event.

Palyati spoke to the group thanking them for their service to their fellow students and pointed out that Anchorage is a unique city for it’s size with about 90 first languages spoken in the schools. Quite a few hands went up when she asked if any of them spoke a language other than English. She went on to say that as mediators you have the opportunity to create tolerance which is a stepping stone to harmony.

Jeff Friedman - Anchorage School Board President spoke to the mediators.

As mediators you are leaders and leadership is also a stepping stone. Each time you conduct a mediation you create a flower in the world garden. There is only harmony in a garden. She taught them a technique to create harmony within themselves by placing their hands on their hearts, keeping silent and then remembering that “Harmony begins with me.”

Cheryl, Julie, and Stan read the Mediator's Pledge. Special thanks to Michael Kerosky, Cheryl Childers, Becky Severson, Stan Mayra and Julie Vincek of Safe and Drug Free Schools for your support and love of harmony.

– Palyati Fouse

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

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