Young children and older adults painted rocks, color pages, write notes for the gratitude mailbox, and made peace ribbons. One by one, children attached their ribbons to the large peace symbols, making them more colorful with each addition. As I moved through the event, I began to see this small community come together. It made me wonder what peace really means. Listening to speakers from our city and schools, I started to find my own answer.

Hilary Mahan, executive director of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation, welcomed everyone and helped set the tone for the day. Peace advocate Tess Cacciatore spoke about the importance of peace around the world, while Mayor Pro Tem Nina Tarnay and Police Chief Rachel Johnson shared perspectives from our city. MBUSD Superintendent Kim Linz spoke about peace within our schools and the importance of bringing people together. Then Janet Allen, Mira Costa High School’s psychologist, spoke about how our own actions and words can help create peace.

Three of my peers then spoke about what peace means to them. Sophia Fein, Calista Chun, and Simon Uslaner, all members of Model United Nations at Mira Costa High School, stood confidently in front of the crowd and shared their personal perspectives. 

Simon Uslaner's speech especially stood out to me. “One word is only a drop. Peace is a river,” he said. But his next words stayed with me even more: “Be the drop that isn't scared to change the river's course.”

I thought back to what I had realized earlier: that change can start with just one person. So never be afraid to support what you believe in, even if it's not what the majority agrees with. Be the person who stands up for someone who is alone. Do it even if you’re scared, because your one action could trigger a bigger outcome. Listening to my classmates makes me think about what I can do myself, rather than simply hoping for peace around me.

As the event came to an end, we were left with one final performance. Jack Bos, a senior at Mira Costa High School, sang “Rise Up” by Andra Day, bringing a different expression of peace to the ceremony through music. His voice carried across Civic Center Plaza as doves were released and flew above the crowd. I looked up watching the birds cross the sky while music continued below them. For a moment everything I heard — about community, creating positive change, and what it means to create peace— seemed to all come together. 

I am grateful to MBEF, Stand 4 Peace, Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, Mira Costas Model United Nations, and the city of Manhattan Beach for bringing the community together on such an important day and giving me the opportunity to experience what peace looks and feels like firsthand. As a final tribute to peace, everyone gathered at Civic Center Plaza came together to form a giant peace symbol. From above, a drone captured the moment, offering a beautiful reminder that peace begins with individuals but becomes something much bigger when we stand together.