Cortland celebrates Day of Peace
By BOB COUPLAND - Tribune ChronicleCORTLAND - Wearing specially made white shirts with the message ''Celebrate with Us'' on them, more than 350 people marched from the high school to the town clock as part of the local recognition of International Day of Peace.
The three-hour event, mostly held Sunday at Lakeview High School, included recognition of students who wrote essays and made posters for the event. There also were guest speakers and musical performances by the Lakeview Madrigal Choir, including the singing of ''Let There be Peace on Earth.'' Local Rotary exchange students also were recognized.
Clyde and Jean Bolinger were the event organizers.
David Smith, senior program officer with the United States International Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., spoke to history and social studies classes on Monday.
Smith said peace should not only be a goal but a way of life to be lived by people all over the world. He said living a life of peace can mean taking risks.
''Peace is about the paths we take. Young people today are the vehicle of change. They play an important role in working for peace and a positive future for all,'' he said.
Smith said the institute was created in 1984 dedicated to international peace and peace building programs.
Mayor Curt Moll said that in 1981 the United Nations declared an International Day of Peace devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace.
The U.N. expanded the day in 2001 to include a global cease fire to all violence in the world. Moll proclaimed Sept. 21 as International Day of Peace in the city.
Jean Bolinger said they worked with the schools to have poster and essay contests. Lakeview High School sophomore Aaron Jesse designed a T-shirt for all participants.
Students in grades kindergarten to fifth designed posters. Students in sixth to 12th grades wrote a 700-word or less essay on "What can be done to have peace on Earth."
Clyde Bolinger said "We hope to make our local effort an event to remember."
He said if people were asked would they rather live in a world at war or world of peace, peace would win hands down.
"Peace is better than war," he said.
Twelve students took part in the essay contest, with three chosen as the winning essays. Winners were seniors Joe Pasquarella and Christopher Goffos and eighth-grader Marisa Pesa.
