Speaker for Brockport's "Keep The Peace" Day

Students in Brockport, NY took half a day to come together in honor of something they wanted so badly to bring alive in their school: peace. I joined as a guest speaker for Brockport High School's "Peace Day" assembly. This event was created and run by students. The effect of anti-bullying events becomes wildly potent when they are developed from the eyes of those who live within the issue. 

I presented to two assemblies alongside Keith Jones of Soul Touchin' Experiences.  The day also included group activities and games which brought students together through discovering one another in new ways. After the events, Keith and I joined the Keep The Peace Committee - organized by and entirely comprised of students - as they shared advise with students from a neighboring school on how to organize an anti-bullying/peace program.

It was a day of trying new things. A day of walking in someone else's shoes (or crown.)  Keith spoke about focusing on what people can do rather than what they cannot. My sister's lack of ability to communicate through written language has made her a gifted artist, able to communicate powerfully through images. We are all more than what can be seen.  

More impressive was the conversation held after the day was done. The students' advice to their neighboring school's peers was nearly verbatim the lessons I've learned launching Project Empower. At this point I was watching proof of my theory that leadership is a muscle that meerly needs to be engaged and grown like any other. Standing around me were young adults - many soon to graduate - already discovering their potential to impact. On my walk home every day I read a quote on a wall, saying, "The world was not built in a day, but rather is built every single day."  There is nothing more exciting than the realization that you are now participating in the ongoing construction of a thing we no longer have to accept as-is.  It can be improved, changed and grown. Congratulations to all those who act upon their potential to make an impact. It is never too early.