Facing issues of world peace

McCarthy's students inspired to go out and try and change the world

 

 

By Hayley Stewart
March 25, 2008

When you were 8, you believed in world peace. You dreamed about preventing forest fires, saving the whales, living in a drug-free America and becoming a superhero all before dinnertime. Eventually, you realized the world was not all hugs and smiles (contrary to what “Full House” may have led you to believe), and unlike the monsters in your closet, murder, corruption, rape and diseases were not imaginary.

 

English 10 honors teacher Jessica McCarthy and her 39 English 10 honors students are not willing to give up on their childhood aspirations just yet.

 

McCarthy assigned a project where her students had to make a measurable impact on the world. This “impact project” encouraged students to explore their passions and reinforced research, organization and communication skills.

 

“Yes, [world peace is possible] if all the countries are in support and strive for one cause at a time,” said sophomore Manith Bondugula, who is donating clothes to the homeless. “This project taught me a lot about not hating. I don’t think I judge people as much now, and I think I am more respectful.”

 

The impacts of students varied, but in sophomore Julia Rodriguez’s case, the impact went above and beyond the benchmarks for a decent grade. Rodriguez raised $10,500 for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital through bake sales and selling items from St. Jude’s catalog to members of her church.

 

“My cousin died from cancer, and St. Jude’s helped him live longer,” Rodriguez said. “If other people helped my cousin [with their contributions], then I felt I could help other kids.”

 

McCarthy was inspired to begin this project based on her own student’s philanthropic desires, Eli Wiesel’s book ‘Night’ and David Eggers’ book ‘What is the What.’

 

 “I struggled as a teacher to make ‘Night’ applicable to the kids,” McCarthy said. “I did not want them finishing the book and only remembering that a bunch of people died and it was really sad. I wanted it to have a lasting effect on them and for them to see what is really important, which is not Facebook and a new iPod. Even if the kids only learn to appreciate what they have, they’re still learning something so important.”

 

McCarthy’s students exemplified that the promotion of world peace does not need to originate in a U.N. meeting with dozens of press conferences, or even with people that can legally drive, but simply with passionate citizens who fervently believe in a cause.

 

“Ordinary citizens have just as much voice as the government,” said sophomore Luna Taing, who, along with sophomore Lani Kroese, is sending care packages to American soldiers stationed in Iraq. “It’s important for the government and the troops to know that even though some people oppose the war, the citizens will always support and encourage the troops.”

 

Sophomores Jena Wirsch and Stephanie Blum are helping an El Salvadorian woman who left her village to get a housekeeping job in America. She goes back to El Salvador every year to give money, toys and clothes to the children in her village. This year, Wirsch and Blum are going to help.

 

“[This project] is really time consuming, but it’s definitely worth it,” Wirsch said. “I know this will mean so much to her. I googled her village and it made me realize that even though America may have some poor spots, we are very privileged.”

 

One would think the hardest part of trying to save the world would be coming up with the idea. Unfortunately, McCarthy’s students have discovered first hand that bureaucracy can trump and complicate everything, including world peace.

 

The school is a non-profit organization, so any money collected through the school must somehow benefit the school.

 

“The red tape is killing the mood,” McCarthy said.

 

Sophomores Jennie Ceh, Katharine Lucas and Cory Davis are victims of this bureaucratic nightmare. They had to get International Awareness Club sponsor Janet Ahlbin to sponsor them so they can aid Darfur victims.

 

“It’s frustrating we can’t get this done,” Ceh said. “There are so many obstacles."