September 29, 2025 – On September 19th, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI) proudly sponsored a series of joyful, creative, and heart-filled celebrations for the International Day of Peace across our partner schools in Southern California. As part of the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP), these schools embraced this year’s theme “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” From painting rocks to preparing sandwiches, from chalk art to mindful breathing, more than 2,271 students shared their unique vision of what peace looks and feels like each one adding their voice and action to a more peaceful world.
At STEAM Academy at Burke, 50 students spun ideas into vibrant pinwheels decorated with messages about peace. “Peace is when your mind is free of fear,” reflected one student, while another exclaimed, “This is cool, miss! I love it.” The pinwheels will soon whirl across campus during “Lunch with Your Jaguar,” turning creativity into visible joy.
North Park Academy of the Arts invited around 60 students to explore peace in three stations: painting canvases, posting heart-shaped reflections, and sending shout-outs to peers and staff. “I really liked having more than one thing to do to celebrate today, especially painting!” said one student. Another eagerly asked, “When are we having another event like this?!”
At Lakeland Elementary, 310 Lions roared for peace with mindfulness exercises, chalk art, songs, and playground messages. “I like being kind and helping others for peace” said a first grader. “This is so fun! Let’s think of more messages we can write to share peace with kids,” added a fourth grader. Every student left with a “peace reminder” sticker to carry calm and compassion throughout the day.
Jersey Avenue Elementary transformed its campus into a patchwork of peace with 230 students decorating puzzle pieces, chalking peace signs, and wearing peace necklaces and bracelets. “Let’s be kind and include everyone,” said one student. “Peace makes the world a better place,” shared another.
Across town at Studebaker Elementary, nearly 300 students colored, danced, sang, and wrote kind messages during recess. “I love being able to do something other than play during recess. I like coloring with my friends and spreading kindness and peace on our campus,” said one student.
At Lake Center Middle School, the spirit of peace continues year-round with a new Gaming Club starting in October, where students will play WPDI-sponsored games to practice empathy, teamwork, and mindfulness.
Cresson Elementary celebrated with 235 students and 18 staff, decorating coffee cup sleeves with uplifting messages and peace signs that were shared with customers. Handmade peace flags and peace-themed outfits created a vibrant atmosphere of unity. “I hope someone reads my message and feels happy,” said a fourth grader, while a third grader added, “It’s cool that something I drew might make a stranger smile.”
At William Orr Elementary, 360 students and 35 staff participated in readings and reflections about peace and received stickers to take home. “Peace is possible,” one student shared. “Peace to me is making a good choice,” said another.
Paddison Elementary saw 250 students painting rocks with peaceful images in the school garden. “When we paint peace, we are not just decorating our rocks but bringing peace to our school. Each rock represents something special that brings joy, unity, and hope for all our school,” said a student.
Meanwhile, DNA Prep Academy in Chatsworth had about 50 students, staff, and families prepare 280 lunch bags for people in need on Skid Row, decorating sidewalks with chalk art spreading hope. “Even small acts, like making a sandwich or writing a kind note, can make a big difference,” shared a student, seeing firsthand how kindness ripples outward.
At Switzer Learning Center in Torrance, 37 students and 22 staff brought peace to life through beautifully decorated Peace Journals filled with reflections, drawings, and messages. “Peace equals happiness,” said one student. “Peace means no more war, no more corruption, and living in a world where everyone gets along,” shared another. Taking the journals home added a personal, lasting touch.
From pinwheels to journals, sandwiches to chalk art, these celebrations proved that peace comes alive when students act with imagination, kindness, and heart.
WPDI is proud to support these joyful moments, reminding us that peace begins with small, thoughtful actions—and grows when we share it together.
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