About 1,500 Longwood Junior High students celebrated International Day of Peace on Wednesday by forming the word “love,” creating a peace sign for the “o,” on the Junior High School’s front lawn.
About 30 years ago, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon called for a day of non-violence every Sept. 21. Longwood celebrated the day for the first time last year.
Students also carried flags representing each country in the United Nations, recognized a moment of silence and watched with dropped jaws as a flock of white doves, symbols of peace, were released into the sky.
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Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
MYRA VAUGHN COURTESY PHOTOS
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Macy Millback of WhiteWings New York Dove Releases sets free a flock of white doves, symbols of peace.
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Superintendent Allan Gerstenlauer stands with students during the ceremony.
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood Junior High School principal Levi McIntyre
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
A Ridge Fire Department truck lifted fire officials and Longwood teachers high in the air in a cherry picker so they could take photographs of students below forming the word “love.”
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
A Ridge Fire Department truck lifted fire officials and Longwood teachers high in the air in a cherry picker so they could take photographs of students below forming the word “love.”
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
A Ridge Fire Department truck lifted fire officials and Longwood teachers high in the air in a cherry picker so they could take photographs of students below forming the word “love.”
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Students stand in their spots to form the word “love.”
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Students stand in their spots to form the word “love.”
Longwood kids celebrate Day of Peace
Stephen Carrolo, an eighth grader who lives in Coram, videotapes the event.

MYRA VAUGHN COURTESY PHOTOS | Longwood celebrated the day for the first time last year.