In a world that often feels loud and reactive, we are frequently reminded of a simple truth: violence happens when peace is absent. It is easy to succumb to anger; it is simple to lash out. Reacting with violence doesn’t require special talent, and it doesn’t make one "smart" or "special." What truly requires strength, intellect, and courage is the ability to choose a different path.
Last Wednesday, January 21st, Holy Family School gathered for a very special chapel service dedicated to the Peace Exchange Program.
The Peace Exchange is Holy Family Ministries’ visionary violence prevention program. It was created with a far-reaching goal: to equip our students with the tools to become agents of positive change within their own neighborhoods and the world beyond. While many programs focus on reacting to conflict, the Peace Exchange focuses on the internal transformation required to prevent it.
During the service, Program Director Henry Cervantes shared a powerful message with the student body about what we choose to value as a community.
"We see you," Cervantes said. "And it's important to get medals in math, reading, science, and perfect attendance. That is important and needs to be recognized. But we should also recognize peacemaking efforts. Your ability to be civil, to be loving, to be kind—because that is also so very important."
At Holy Family, we believe that academic excellence and character development go hand-in-hand. While we will always cheer for our honor roll students and star athletes, last Wednesday was a reminder that the student who de-escalates a conflict, the friend who shows radical kindness, and the leader who chooses civility over anger are also champions.
These "peacemaking efforts" are the heartbeat of our school. By teaching our children that being loving and kind is a skill to be honored, we are not just educating students—we are raising the future leaders who will ensure that peace is never absent from our community.
To learn more about the Peace Exchange and how it is shaping the lives of our youth, visit hfm.org/peace-exchange.