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Students get cozy with Nobel winners
By Julie Kay/Staff Writer
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| Country High students
(from left) Alyssa Espinoz, 17, Bianca Alvarez,
16, Dashaun Sharp, 18, and Cora Gore talk
about attending PeaceJam in Colorado. (Joel
Rosenbaum/The Reporter) |
When Country High School students Bianca Alvarez,
Alyssa Espinoza, Cora Gore, and Dashaun Sharp began
preparing to attend this month's PeaceJam conference,
they didn't expect to be boogieing down with Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, or joking around with the Dalai Lama.
But during the conference last week, that's
exactly what they did - just one more piece of
evidence that the seemingly impossible can come
true.
The four Country students are among 12 Solano
County residents who participated in the conference
organized by PeaceJam, an international organization
that connects youth around the world with Nobel
Peace Laureates. Last week's conference, which
focused on the issue child poverty, featured 12
Nobel Peace Laureates and attracted 3,000 peace
activists from 31 countries
At Country High, where many students have faced
an inordinate number of challenges, cynicism and
guardedness are well-polished traits. But when
the four Country students - all members of the
school's leadership class - spoke about their
PeaceJam experience Tuesday, effusiveness and
passion reigned.
"We saw a video where there were 6-year-olds
rescued from the sex trade," said Alvarez,
16.
"They didn't even get the money," Espinoza,
17, added.
"It makes us realize we take things for
granted," said Alvarez. "We're grateful
for what we have."
On a lighter note, the students laughed, recalling
the Dalai Lama's words on whether violence might
ever be appropriate.
If someone is about to kill you, "you can
always shoot him in the leg," Gore, 17, said
the Dalai Lama reasoned. "Then you can go
back and apologize."
Despite the scope and gravity of the problems
they discussed, the Country leadership students
appeared energized rather than daunted. Already
they've created a laundry list of projects they
want to take on, things like feeding the homeless,
sending needed vitimins overseas, planting trees,
and working with local youth.
The students are equally passionate about addressing
peace right in their classroom. The four described
a situation Monday in which a misunderstanding
almost turned violent. The four intervened, quickly
defusing the tension and supporting the people
involved.
Sharp, 18, recalled the words of one laureate
which he said would remain forever etched in his
mind.
"She said, 'One day there will be a war
and nobody will show up,'" he recounted.
"What's that mean?" a classmate challenged.
"It means someday there's going to be peace
in the world," Sharp answered.
In addition to the Country High students, Vacaville
High School's Lacy McGarry, Will C. Wood High
School's Emmaline Nguyen, Vanden High School's
Amber Lion, Rodriguez High School's Justin Nievar,
and Solano Community College's Myat Aye attended
the conference. Locals Deni Harding, Manjit Purewall,
and Andrea Quintano served as facilitators.
Local minister Sherilyn Henry founded Solano
County's PeaceJam chapter earlier this year. Students
from Country High were its first members.
The four Country students understand that in
a world where peace sometimes seems impossible,
they must commit to a long, slow journey.
"It's not going to happen right away,"
acknowledged Espinoza.
"It might not happen during your generation,"
added Gore. "But at least you can spread
the word and keep it going."
Julie Kay can be reached at schools@thereporter.com.
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