Sturgis Students Play Soccer to Promote Peace

[Not a valid template]HYANNIS – The students of Sturgis East and West campuses took over the Hyannis Village Green yesterday for an hour of soccer.

Students participated in or cheered on others during soccer matches on three mini-fields as part of International Peace Day’s One Day, One Goal initiative.

Sturgis East Student Council Advisor Marsha Yalden says the event helps to keep a rivalry from existing between the two schools.

“We mix the teams up because we don’t want it to be East against West. We want it to be East and West playing together,” Yalden said.

More than 700 soccer matches took place yesterday in 200 countries across the world to promote peace.

Yalden said the students realize they are a part of something bigger than themselves.

“Knowing that they are doing this on the same day as all those other people, they are aware of the international implications of it and I think they find it very exciting,” she said.

This is the sixth year that Stugis students have participated in the event.

One Day, One Goal was started by Peace One Day, a non-profit organization that aims to make International Peace Day an annual day of global unity and intercultural cooperation.

In addition to soccer matches, activities include several cultural events and classes in conflict resolution, global citizenship, human rights and the link between sustainability and peace.