MULCAHY YMCA PEACE POLES
A Peace Pole was presented to the Mulcahy YMCA Early Learning Center in a ceremony on April 21, 2021.
Eight members of the Tucson Kino Rotary Peace Pole Committee, chaired by member and President-Elect Dennis Bergquist, dedicated countless hours into the preparation and presentation of the Celebration of Peace Ceremony. Other Committee Members are Emma Carrillo, Buck Crouch, Debbie Haddock, Ralph Nickl, John Palacio, Maria Patterson, and Daniel Stringham.
Dennis Bergquist Emceed the Event
The stage was set with a long table upon which stood a mysterious three-foot tall item under wraps as the children marched out and a group of Rotarians and YMCA of Southern Arizona Metro Board Members stood by in anticipation. Dennis began the celebration with an inspirational moment on Peace.
Debbie Haddock recognized Carolyn Schwartz, the Director of Youth Development for the YMCA of Southern Arizona, with a Paul Harris Fellow (an award given by Rotarians to outstanding community members) for her dedication to youth. Emma Carrillo shared the history of the Peace Pole and Maria Patterson read the poem “Recipe for Peace” from the book Peaceful Pieces, by Anna Grossnickle Hines.
The Peace Pole was then revealed to the children and awaiting adults. Debbie presented 16 peace-themed books to the YMCA which will enhance their future peace discussions. Beki Quintero, author of In the Peace Garden and the creator of the Peace Garden located in the Manuel Herrera Jr. Park, donated four copies of her book, and gave each child a packet of “Peace Seeds” to take home and plant.
Carolyn Schwartz Received her Paul Harris Pin
Two children, Anabell Estrada and Zayleigh Clark, came forward and shared their thoughts on peace.
About 60 Children Attended the Event
The traveling pole, constructed by John Palacio and Buck Crouch, is made of a light plastic on a wooden base. This Peace Pole will go from room to room, and from YMCA to YMCA, and be the focal point of the peace lessons and activities developed by Emma Carrillo. Group leaders will use the pole to expand the children’s understanding of peace far into the future. Debbie, Emma, and Maria hope to work with the YMCA students once Covid restrictions are lifted. Fifteen proud members of the Tucson Kino Rotary Club were in attendance along with Past District Governor Ellie Patterson, District Peace Pole Chair Joe Daniszewski, and Rotarian Kurtis Dawson who is the CEO of the YMCA of Southern Arizona. KGUN9 and KVOA4 news channels were there to record the event. A short news piece with interviews appeared on KVOA4 at 4:25 and 5:25 pm that night.
Another taller, permanent pole, constructed out of metal to increase its durability, will be installed outside the Mulcahy YMCA entrance. The message on the Peace Poles’ is in four languages -- English, Spanish, Yaqui, and Tohono O’odham, which represent the languages spoken most often in the Sunnyside School District.
As a finale, all present recited the Peace Pledge and signed a Peace Poster:
PEACE PLEDGE
- I pledge to treat everyone around me with respect, honor, dignity, and with an open mind
- I will refrain from both physical violence and violence of the heart and mind
- I will treat others as I want to be treated, so we all may reach our fullest potential
For more information, visit kinorotary.org.