Usually students are found hanging out with friends, going to the beach or glued to their iPhone screens in their free time, but this year, some students decided to get involved with a non-profit organization through Intern Academy. This program allows kids to connect with certain internships that allow them to explore possible career paths. Kids for Peace gives students the chance to go out and be active in their environment through charitable works.

Kids for Peace, a nonprofit organization, spreads the goal of “uplifting our world through love and peace”.

“We want to give kids the ability to help spread peace,” junior Hana Craft said. “Through this organization, kids experience how community service and volunteering really benefit the community and hopefully make the world a better, peaceful place.”

These aspirations seem may seem challenging to some. Spreading peace is a hard accomplishment to pull off, but the volunteers for Kids for Peace have kept an open mind in order to make the change they wish to see.

“People tell me that we won’t be able to change the world,” Craft said. “But I believe, if you start off small, with children, you will be able to shape them at a young age, and then, they will help further develop a peaceful world.” 

Recently seniors Grady McDermott and Adoley Swaniker, accompanied by the executive director and co-founder of Kids for Peace, Jill McManigal, got the opportunity to travel all the way to Australia to spread the word of peace.

During the trip McDermott was appointed to the position of President of the Youth Council.

“It was such an honor to be chosen from 40 other students,” McDermott said. “From being a part of the group that co-founded this organization, my duty is an important one in shaping the world and creating influence.”

The overall mission of the Youth Council was to create strategies to help young generations grasp a mutual understanding of different cultures and to show appreciation for their diversity as well. Also, they created many activities, like making peace packs with other countries.

McDermott took away many positives from his experience across the continents and would encourage many others to get involved.  If you would like to become a member of Kids for Peace and have the ability to teach kids how to spread peace, visit their website for more information.

“Respect people’s cultures because they could have a different up bringing than you,” McDermott said. “Though some people might have customs that are unfamiliar to us, you have to be respectful of that.”