For about an hour or two each morning on a wall near the front doors of Nerstrand Charter School, the sun casts a shadow of the word "Peace." It identifies the school's evolving International Peace Garden.
The garden includes representation of a number of countries, each with a unique item symbolizing their respective people and cultures. The peace garden continued to grow Monday afternoon, as students, staff and volunteers celebrated the newest edition, Ukraine.
The "Peace" shadow is cast by a sign atop the school, which volunteer Larry Richie said was the first part added to the school's garden back in 2000. But it doesn't last forever, and it takes a sunny day.
"That's the way we wanted it," Richie said. "Because peace is elusive. You can't put it in your hand. You gotta have it in your heart. You know, it's got to be a part of who you are. And we thought that that would be a good way of presenting the concept of peace."
Twenty-four years after the sign was put up, another addition came in the form of a yellow-and-blue garden representing Ukraine. This addition was in the works for a number of years, paused due to COVID-19 and finally returning recently.
"It's been an interesting endeavor," Richie said. "Because we have little children, we have to be careful what we're discussing. We don't discuss the war; we discuss peace and the people and how we need to work together and things like that."
Nations are chosen for several reasons, whether a student is from there or staff just offers a suggestion. While the timing of Congress' funding package for Ukraine coincides with the addition to the peace garden, they have nothing to do with one another.
Monday's ceremony for the Ukraine addition began in the hallway, where many students held paper sunflowers and stood in front of their lockers and followed a group of students holding flags for the countries in the peace garden.
Fifth grader Camryn Schrader was leading the pack. With the Ukrainian flag in hand, she walked toward the gymnasium.
Once everyone was situated, Richie gave a brief overview of the purpose of the peace garden and some background about Ukraine. For example, the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag represents the sky and the sunflower fields. The sunflower is Ukraine's national flower.
"I just want you to know how special it is that I get this opportunity, where we might even bring peace to the world," Richie said. "You start with your family, your towns, your roads, your neighborhoods. … You meet people to help bring an understanding in each other's lives. And that's what we need to bring peace to the world."
Peace poems
The fifth graders were asked to write a short story or poem about peace, and two were chosen to present theirs during the ceremony. Camryn went first.
"Peace is kind," she said. "Peace is blind. Peace keeps everyone in line. Peace is respectful. It's not doubtful. Peace is a dove. Peace is above. Peace keeps everyone in love."
Next, a poem written by fifth grader Maxwell Winsor was read by fourth grader Zaylee Quay, who Max asked to help.
"Peace is like friendship," Quay read. "Friendship and peace are so important. Friendship is a relation, which is good for life. Without friendship and peace, you would have a hard life. Let's all work hard making friendships."
Next, fourth grader Eli Girard and fifth grader Odin Skluzacek presented facts about homing pigeons, which were waiting for the students to come outside. Richie explained that the pigeons were being used as stand-ins for doves, which is recognized as a symbol of peace.
Peaceful symbolism
As the students again carried their flags and flowers, they headed outside to the new Ukraine display. It is a circular garden of sunflowers. The sides are blue and yellow.
Once they were gathered, Camryn added the large Ukrainian flag and Maxwell added a small tree with yellow and blue ornaments, as well as fake doves. Then, Richie uncovered the small cage of pigeons and opened the door, setting them free to head back home to a farm about 16 miles away.
Shortly after, students went back inside.
Richie isn't paid for his countless hours of work at the school, which he's done for decades. He said he bets, if they only remember one thing from today, the students will never forget the birds.
He shared a story of a student's wedding he attended, which featured a lot of symbolism, like soil from both the bride's and groom's family farms. He said he was once credited with instilling the importance of symbolism in an individual decades ago.
"He had learned what symbolism can mean on important days like that," he said. "It just kind of blew me away that, once in a while, you can have that kind of effect on someone. Might not show up for — I don't know — he's gotta be like 25 now. But yeah, you can make a difference. That's why you come back."
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