Beautiful sounds coming from the peace choir made up of Rockford, Machesney Park and Keith students. and all told more than 800 local students gathered at the Keeling Puri Peace Plaza to highlight our diversity and talk about ways to bring about peace on earth. Some of the children also learned about peace symbols like the dove. The annual event strives to be a learning experience for both kids and adults.

"A celebration of diversity in our community and our own individual aspirations for a better and more peaceful world,"says Jim Keeling.

The peace plaza event was one of many others throughout our community. Students at Maria Montessori took part in a book reading called 'What does peace feel like' and over in the North Boone district students marched on parade with a 16-foot homemade peace dove.