Proctor High School recently hosted a powerful and inspiring Peace Pole Ceremony, celebrating the values of unity, cultural richness, and shared humanity. Gifted by the Rotary Club of Utica, the two newly installed Peace Poles display the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 15 different languages—a reflection of the many cultures, languages, and traditions that make up the fabric of the Utica community. The Peace Poles are now proudly located on the Hilton Avenue side of the high school.

This initiative was brought to life by the Rotary Club of Utica and is rooted in a global tradition that began after World War II, offering a lasting symbol of hope and reconciliation. Today, more than 200,000 Peace Poles have been installed around the world in schools, parks, and public spaces—each one a quiet but powerful call for peace.

During the ceremony, Proctor students took center stage by delivering the peace message in their native languages: English (Antonio Bridenbecker), Spanish (Syncere Rumph), Italian (Evelyn Campbell), French (Alex Bertrand Nguelgna Tchuitcha), Bosnian (Nejla Mirvic), Burmese (Htatnadi Pyo), Karen and Thai (Eh Kee Lah), Arabic (Hamza Luai Al Kaddah), Russian and Bulgarian (Yelyzaveta Dimova), Ukrainian (Vitalii Kocherzhuk), Somali (Ahmed Afrah Noor), and Pashto (Alyas Darwish).

The event was a testament to what makes Utica special: a community built on inclusion, resilience, and the belief that every culture contributes to a more peaceful world. Thank you to the Rotary Club of Utica for this meaningful gift, and to our students for reminding us that peace begins right here, in our schools and neighborhoods.