Soggy conditions in the school’s outdoor grove postponed the traditional Peace Day celebration at Anna Maria Elementary School to Sept. 26, but the delay will not dampen the spirit of the event.
Originally scheduled for Sept. 19, Peace Day will feature AME alumnus Jake Parsons, now a Manatee High School senior, reflecting on his past Peace Day experiences, as well as musical performances by several current students. Fourth-grader Evan Christenson will perform John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Jillian Loudermilk and Elaina Bayard, also in fourth-grade, will sing the “Rainbow Connection,” made famous by Kermit the Frog. There also will be poetry readings and other entertainment.
AME’s Peace Day observance began in 2002, the year after the Sept. 11 bombings, when two students from P.S. 69 in view of the World Trade Center, enrolled at AME the very day of the terrorist attacks.
Guidance counselor Cindi Harrison and then-AME principal Tim Kolbe decided to connect with the school in Queens. “As educators we wanted to respond to our students and our community, and we wanted to respond positively,” Harrison said.
Harrison and Kolbe visited P.S. 69 in April 2002, bringing a Peace Pole to the school, purchased with the help of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. “Our schools and our children were so different, but they all wanted the same thing. No more war. No more violence,” Harrison said.
A Peace Pole also was installed at AME, thus beginning a yearly celebration of International Peace Day at the school.
This year’s Peace Day theme at AME is centered around Michael Hall’s book, “Perfect Square.” In the book, a perfect red square learns to harness change to find new shape and purpose.
“The lesson in ‘Perfect Square’ centers around dreaming big dreams,” Harrison explained. “We are encouraging the students to think about how their big dreams can contribute to promoting peace.” She added that there will be a wishing well into which the children can cast glass stones and a wish.
AME’s Peace Day celebration will begin at 8:45 a.m. Friday, Sept. 26, among the gardens in front of the school, weather permitting. The celebration will last about an hour and the public is welcome.