TMS students named school peacemakers

TIFFIN — Four Tiffin Middle School eighth graders chosen by their classmates and teachers represented their school as peacemakers at Nonviolent Tiffin's 5th annual Cherry Blossoms Speak Peace event April 17 at The Chandelier. Sydney Kerschner, Colton Whitmer, Zoey Allen and Terry Austin each delivered a short speech titled "How I Am Trying to Make a Difference in the World" before an audience gathered at 151 S. Washington St. This year's theme, "Healing Relationships in a Fractured World," featured keynote speaker John Stowe, bishop of the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, and president of Pax Christi USA. Founder Sister Paulette Schroeder said the focus of each year's event is shaped in part by current world events. "It partly deals with the current situation in our country," she said. "Immigration, for example, is such a huge factor right now — a huge injustice going on." Schroeder said the student speeches, though brief, carried real weight. "They only have about a minute, a minute and a half," she said. "But they're really reflective. They're searching for meaning, purpose and belonging." The evening also included music, a 50/50 drawing and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will be divided among local families, the Marco Depestre Foundation — an Ottawa, Canada-based organization providing humanitarian aid and school supplies to children in Haiti — and Holy Family Parish in Gaza.