William S. Reyes Elementary (WSR) - Saipan, MP William S. Reyes Elementary (WSR) in Saipan went above and beyond all expectations in their celebration of International Peace Day on September 21, 2009. Staff and students from kindergarten to 6th grade participated in the Pinwheels for Peace project by creating more than 700 pinwheels!


Students proudly wave their decorated pinwheels as they make their way to the assembly area for their Pinwheels for Peace ceremony.

Principal Lynette Villagomez led the celebration by welcoming students and staff to the first ever WSR "Pinwheels Installation Project." She explained that the pinwheels symbolize our desire for and efforts to build world peace. She tied the objectives of the Pinwheels for Peace project and International Day of Peace to the school's PeaceBuilders curriculum and culture.

Vice Principal Naomi Nishimura gave a brief overview of the Pinwheels Project (found on the Pinwheels for Peace website: www.pinwheelsforpeace.com). She mentioned that Pinwheels for Peace is an art installation project started in 2005 by two high school art teachers in the state of Florida as a way for students to express their feelings about what was going on in the world and in their lives. Ms. Nishimura explained that the project was initially embraced by students and the entire school, and over the years, by millions of children and teens, teachers, parents, and other adults who are trying to build peace in the world.

After the background and explanation about the event, student leaders read aloud the messages on their pinwheels before planting them on the ground. Then, all the students, grouped by grade levels, took turns planting pinwheels in their designated area.

Beautiful children plant inspirational pinwheels in the ground in front of the outdoor stage at WSR.

Pinwheels of all shapes and sizes contain students' thoughts about war, peace, unity, harmony, and cooperation along with drawings and symbols representing their thoughts and feelings.

Peaceful children patiently wait while other groups finish planting their pinwheels.

Pinwheels blow in the breeze and symbolize "whirled peace."

Throughout the celebration, an instrumental version of the song "Heal the World" played in the background to set the tone.

Children at WSR enjoyed a fun art project: creating pinwheels. They learned a lesson about the history of the Pinwheels for Peace Project. They learned about International Peace Day and how each person can contribute to world peace in very personal and meaningful ways. They also learned what a huge impact we can make when we work together toward a common goal. And through it all they had fun.

They built world peace, and they had fun.