The culmination of the Peace by PEACE Program is the Peace by PEACE Festival which is held at Columbia at the end of Spring semester. The aim of the Festival is to provide a fun and safe environment for the Program participants to share what they learned about conflict resolution and the application of the methods of peace to their daily lives. The kids get a chance to visit Columbia, play games, and do a lot of fun crafts and activities (and have ice cream!) to celebrate what they've learned. It's really fun event and a great way to spend your day hanging out with kids, even if you haven't volunteered with us during the year.

Peace by PEACE students look forward to Festival starting early in the first semester, and their enthusiasm for the program is an inspiration for everyone who participates in this wonderful event. Festival not only provides the kids with a day of fun and excitement to commemorate their achievements with hundreds of their peers, but also shows each student that Peace by PEACE exists not only in their classroom or school, but also in other schools in their community. This sense of the scope of the Peace by PEACE program sends a powerful message to the kids that their conflict-resolution skills can be applied outside of the classroom. Plus, after we come to their school all year, it's a nice opportunity for them to finally see a bit of our school, Columbia.

Stephanie Nova of PS 132, student speaker at Festival 2002, sums it up:

"Some people like Peace by PEACE only for the games. But the games are not everything in a conflict. Peace by PEACE is there for you. When you have problems and you need someone to speak to, you can trust Peace by PEACE because it shows you every step of your way in your good and bad times. I am so proud that my teacher and principal were able to provide to my class the teachers of Peace by PEACE and I am so glad that they took the time to come to my class. All of us lucky students, teachers, and volunteers should be proud of ourselves for making a difference. Peace by PEACE was created for all of us. We all just need to work together. Peace by PEACE should be everywhere. Peace by PEACE tells us we are not alone."