Fifth grade students at Eastern Mennonite Elementary School led the annual Peace Parade for their schoolmates on Monday, Sept. 23.

It was the 14th year that older students planned and led the parade featuring a super size peace dove puppet. Students carried origami paper cranes.

The United Nations International Peace Day was the previous Saturday, September 21. Elementary School families enjoyed a night of international dances together on Friday evening at Park View Mennonite Church to celebrate. Joy Anderson, music teacher, led the dances.

Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the International Day of Peace “provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace,” according to the program’s website.