“Today is about more than a monument. It is about a message. A message that transcends politics, borders, generations, and backgrounds. A message simple enough for a child to understand, yet powerful enough to challenge the world: ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth.’ Peace is something we all talk about, but it is also something we must intentionally choose. It is found in how we treat one another, how we serve our community, how we respond to conflict, and how we lead with kindness, dignity, and respect,” Livingston ISD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Pack said during a ceremony May 8 to dedicate the new Lion Peace Garden and Peace Pole.
The ceremony also recognized the collaborative efforts of the Rotary Club of Livingston, Livingston ISD students and faculty, Lowe’s Home Improvement Center and Lee Blau LL Contractors.
“I believe schools play an important role in that work. Our responsibility is not only to prepare students academically, but also to help develop thoughtful, compassionate leaders who can positively impact the world around them. At Livingston ISD, we want our students to understand that leadership is not about power over others. It is about service to others,” Pack said.
“This Peace Pole will stand here at Livingston High School as a visible reminder to our students and community that peace is not passive. It requires courage. It requires understanding. May this Peace Pole serve as a daily reminder that even small acts of kindness and unity can create lasting change,” Pack said.
LHS Student Jami Grimes recited a poem she wrote for the ceremony entitled, ‘Our Song Is Peace.’
“Peace is the song of a quiet soul,
Peace is the shield of a soldier.
As we choose to come together-
Our peace will be much bolder.
For peace can be a quiet gift to the weary,
But it is also the sound
Of a thousand voices
Singing together in harmony.
So let our song to humanity be:
May Peace Prevail on Earth!”
Rotary Club President Bev Reed shared the vision and importance behind the service club’s newest community initiative, as well asl its commitment to peace and community action.
“When you look around this garden, you see more than just stone, steel and soil. You see a collaborative masterpiece. This project was born from the vision of the Rotary Club of Livingston, but it came to life through the hands of our own students, educators, and local Rotarians. From the initial construction to the intricate artwork decorating this garden, every inch of this space represents a bridge built between generations and backgrounds,” Reed said.
“In Rotary, we believe that peace is not just a distant, lofty goal; it’s a ‘living’ process. Rotary nurtures peacebuilding in two ways: positive peace and conflict resolution. Positive peace isn’t just the absence of fighting. It’s the presence of the conditions that allow a community to thrive – like a strong education system, a clean environment, and a sense of belonging. We have practiced positive peace by building this garden together. We have created a sanctuary where any student, educator, or visitor can come to find a moment of quiet, to settle their mind, and to remember that they are part of something larger than themselves,” Reed said.
“This garden serves as a neutral ground. It is a physical reminder that even when we disagree, we share a common goal: to live in a community defined by mutual respect. The message is to remind us that while our school is here in Livingston, we are citizens of a vast, interconnected world,” Reed said.
“To you students who planted this pole, created the beautiful artwork and helped dig this soil: you are now peacebuilders. Every time you walk past this garden, let it remind you that you have the power to de-escalate a tense moment, to stick up for a classmate, and to lead with kindness,” Reed said.
Prior to the unveiling, LHS Student Luisa Perez spoke of the pole being a daily reminder of shared humanity.
“It may look like a monument of wood and steel, but it stands as a still point, an anchor. It is written in different languages, yet it is a single heartbeat,” Perez said, adding that it should be used as a quiet landmark for an intentional reset to pause and breathe. “I hope this lasting monument is a shift in our school culture – not just planting a pole in the ground, but making a difference in our community.”
LHS Student Sadie Honc said a prayer and the ceremony concluded with John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” playing in the background as everyone gathered around the Lion Peace Garden and Peace Pole for pictures.
The peace pole bears the inscription “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in eight different languages – English, Spanish, French, Alabama-Coushatta, German, Chinese, Tagalog and Vietnamese.
