Imagine a group of students from all backgrounds coming together to take a picture of a giant peace sign.
The picture, organized by two University students, is a way for people to celebrate peace as other countries around the world will be doing the same.
Junior students Jessica Zur-Linden, a musical arts major, and Teresa Lotz, a musical composition major, have taken on the responsibility of this picturesque event.
‘Everybody talks about peace but don’t do much about it,’ Zur-Linden said. ‘You can start by doing little things like being in this picture.’
Today marks the 10th anniversary of this worldwide event started by Peace One Day, an organization that strives to bring at least one day of peace a year throughout the world.
‘The more people we have, the bigger the peace sign will be and the stronger our message will be,’ Zur-Linden said.
For those who want to participate, the initial meeting spot will be outside the Sundial of Kriescher Hall at 5:15 p.m. The picture is to be taken on the marching band practice field at 5:45 p.m. Students should wear white or a bright-colored shirt.
‘If some students have class at 5:15, but still want to join in, then they should just meet us out at the marching band field at around 5:45,’ Lotz said.
Lindy Bobbitt, graduate assistant for the Arts Village, is anticipating this event.
‘I think it’s really cool that students are excited about this day and are taking the time to advocate for peace,’ she said. ‘It’s a great idea to try and get the whole campus involved and encourage everyone to think about peace.’
The United Nations, along with Peace One Day, designated the third Monday of every September as a day of peace. All countries are encouraged to lay down their arms for a day and engage in various acts of peace including soccer matches, making web videos and taking photographs of peace in action.
Lotz shared her thoughts on why students should check out this event.
‘It is important at the University level to get motivated about peace because we are going to be the ones who make up the world and the country; if we don’t believe that peace is possible then it will never happen,’ Lotz said.
