JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Students, staff, and community members gathered on the campus of Jamestown Jamestown High School to dedicate a new Peace Pole on June 13 — a gift from the Rotary Club of that bears the message “May peace prevail on Earth” in multiple languages.

“In honor of the unyielding spirit of unity and understanding, we the Rotary Club of Jamestown dedicate this peace pole to the students and faculty of Jamestown High School,” said Rotary Club President Marion Beckerink during the ceremony. “May it be seen as a symbol of our commitment to fostering peace, to fostering peace, respect and compassion within our community and beyond.”

Several JHS students involved in the “Justice for All” course at the school, as well as the My Brother’s Keeper and Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership programs also offered reflections, poetry, and music during the ceremony on the corner of Chandler Street and Foote Avenue, just above the JHS student parking lot. 

“With disagreements and division being more normal than ever in my life, it's often difficult for me to look on the bright side and think about what peace may mean or look like to me,” said JHS student Tommy Gessey. “If you choose peace, peace will follow you, not just when you walk away from this ceremony today, but for the rest of your lives, and it will infect the people around you to choose peace as well.”

Geovany Brown, a junior and member of both My Brother’s Keeper and Puerto Rican Hispanic Youth Leadership, spoke about the role of education and communication in achieving peace. 

“We live in a very diverse community where many conflicts arise due to differences in ideas and beliefs,” he said. “However, I think that with education and communication, we can improve and achieve peace in our community.”

Kayamara Strudwick, a senior at JHS, emphasized that peace is an active choice. 

“This Peace Pole stands as a reminder, symbolizing that peace is not passive — rather a choice we make daily,” she said. “May peace prevail on Earth, and may it begin with us.”

Allysen Petteys recited a self-written poem “The Forgotten Sanctuary,” while JHS senior Jolee Schultz and junior Amaya Thompson performed a rendition of “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King. Program artwork was created by Alexa Holmes. Dalana Jackson, Makaelyn Piotrowski, Bianca Rojas Nieves, Nadeisha Solero Gonzalez, Andre Graham, Gracia Slagle, and Heath Bounday also offered reflections. 

The ceremony concluded by having students and community members tie a ribbon around the pole to symbolize their efforts toward peace throughout the world.

In closing, Betsy Rowe-Baehr, JHS English teacher and organizer, thanked supporters and student leaders. 

“We hear you,” she said. “We are here with you in this work. I’m so proud to be beside you; it is through our collective commitment to be courageous, compassionate, and community focussed in the face of conflict that we do this work together.”