In his speech at last year’s graduation ceremony for Wake Forest University, John T. Chambers, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Cisco Systems, stated, " When things are going well, it is the most important time to make changes." This statement was made with reference to technology, but it is remarkably applicable in today’s high school environment with reference to peace.

I currently enjoy a high school environment where violence is rare, intimidation is scarce, and racial tension is low. I’ve never known a student who brought a weapon to school and I’ve rarely seen a physical fight. I’ve never felt frightened or nervous in any part of my school, and I’ve rarely seen anyone take a bomb threat as anything more than a joke. I’ve never seen so few students mutter racist comments to themselves at our annual Black History Month Assembly, and I’ve rarely seen so many black and white students work together in presenting such an event.

In my high school years, I have seen very few signs that peace isn’t widespread; yet now is the most important time to make changes. We must realize that problems will always fester in a stagnant environment. Once we can see the consequences of problems, they are beyond the point of prevention. Unfortunately, there is a problem festering in the high school environment which requires attention.

Beneath the peaceful social environment and the tranquil atmosphere of high school life, a cancer is subtly growing. The results of this cancer have been foreshadowed to us in Jonesboro, Paducah, Columbine, and Santana. If we were to think that our school might be immune to this cancer and the outbreaks of violence that it causes, we would be naive.

Subtle problems can require difficult, long-term solutions. Somewhere in our school, there is a student who has been ridiculed too many times. The obvious inclination of a peacemaker would be to help this student directly. To try to help this student now, however, would take an endless and almost inconsequential effort. The amount of time it would take to calm this student’s anger is easily enough to allow another to fall into the same frustrating situation. A more realistic effort could be to help other students realize what their actions might be causing. This solution, unfortunately, doesn’t attack the root of the problem. The mocking actions of these students are part of their normal social routine. Education on the subject would not go very far toward breaking these social habits. The most important and successful effort we could make for the preservation of peace would be to make young children realize and understand the moral obligation of kindness.

Frustratingly, this effort is, by far, the most difficult to sustain because it must be taken up by everyone. When children are young, they need to learn the importance of kindness from their parents. As they grow, they need to see that their peers share their value of kindness. When they look up to older kids, they need to see that their words and their actions demonstrate their ability to care. Eventually, they must become role models, just like those older kids. Nobody in the child’s life can be content to let someone else instill kindness. It is imperative that children see caring and kindness in everyone.

While some children may grow up in this type of environment, many do not. Somehow, we must change the cycle of abuse and ridicule that the rest of these children face. It is a drastic change which would require a monumental effort, but it would be worth that effort.

Conscious changes are needed in these somnambulist times. While they are still not guaranteed solutions, they will surely improve our situation and hopefully allow us to enjoy a wonderful time of peace. Even with all of these changes, however, we must always be prepared to change again. Our problems will never go away entirely. As long as times are good it is a very important time for change.

Eric Wooldridge and his family are active in the life of First English Lutheran Church, Richmond, Indiana, where Eric is known for his keen intellect and deep faith. He is a graduate of Richmond High School and plans to attend Notre Dame University. He is an avid golfer. His essay won third place in the Spring, 2001, Peace Essay Contest sponsored by the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of West Richmond Friends Meeting.