Local Middle School Students Support International Peace

Just before the buses pulled in, the West Muskingum Middle School Tornadoes took a moment to take a stand for international peace.

450 students came together in the shape of a peace sign at the end of the school day and true Tornado fashion, it was all blue and gold. The project is in support of International Peace Day and science teacher of 30 years, Diana Smith said the human peace sign helps students see that it’s not about where you’re from, but what you have to offer.

“It’s very empowering and I think that’s where schools need to head, giving power to the children and letting them start learning younger and therefore they’ll come out of school able to do more and be more active in the world once they’re out on their own and adults,” said Smith.

The stunt is part of the new project based learning that West Muskingum is taking on for the first year. The human peace sign is just one way the teachers are empowering students to make their own decisions about real world issues.

They were asked how they’d like to support the day and they came up with the peace sign as well as posters, bracelets, and notes to each other encouraging peace. Student Anna Sargysan said that she’s excited to see a new way to learn at school.

“I think it’s definitely good that we have project based learning because we get to try something new and the school’s never had it before so it’s a new experience for everybody,” said Sargysan.

Students even took charge to get the word out about the day by contacting the media and making all-calls to send out to the school district about wearing blue and gold for the event.