Fun at 'Peace for Champs' march

Laura Koch, Gleaner Intern

STUDENTS FROM 39 high schools yesterday marched to promote peace during the Boys and Girls' Championships which enters its final day today.

The merciless heat could not discourage the roughly 500 students who walked from Tom Redcam Avenue to the National Stadium.

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force had their hands full trying to keep the playful young people in line as they broke out into cheers and friendly banter.

"Normally there would be a lot of violence in the Stadium, but we don't want that because we are tired of it," 16-year-old Shadae Rousseau from Alpha Academy told The Gleaner.

Thirteen-year-old Rajiv Budram from St Andrew Technical High said: "Jamaica is full of violence, but we need peace in the world."

Orlando Reid, 17, from Holy Trinity High is still a student, but already knows about the echo one can create by being an example.

"If you can create peace in the school and come together as one, then others will be encouraged to come on board."

Aspiring role models

Some students who took part in the march said they wanted to be role models for other people.

"We need to be a huge ambassador for everyone and a big example for everyone to look at," Randine Fogarthy, 18, said.

Peace for Champs, now in its sixth year, is organised by the St Andrew Central Police in an attempt to alleviate acts of violence during the annual Championships.

"The march is demonstrating to the public that we can have rivalry without violence," Senior Superintendent Fitz Bailey told The Gleaner.

"Peace is important for the stability of any society," Bailey added.