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Fifth‑grade ‘Day of Peace’ project leads to county presentation and city proclamation; students to compete for county cash prizes
Summary
Freedom Elementary fifth graders organized a Peace Walk, received a city proclamation declaring March 22 a Day of Peace in Farmersville, and will present their Step Up Youth Challenge project to Tulare County judges.
Fifth graders from Freedom Elementary presented a student‑led Step Up Youth Challenge project focused on community safety and healing, culminating in a Peace Walk and a city proclamation declaring March 22 “a day of peace” in Farmersville.
Assistant/administrator Dr. Cindy Monroy (speaker introduced herself as part of the presentation) said three students will present project findings to Tulare County judges, competing against middle and high schools in categories that include sustainability, community impact and community partnerships; cash prizes awarded by the county would be added back to the Freedom ASB if the students win. The student project included research mapping local crime rates and identifying that five of the district’s six schools fall inside areas the students labeled as higher‑crime on their map. Students organized community partners, invited a guest speaker who shared a personal loss from crime, and staged a Peace Walk followed by community activities.
Mayor Tina Hernandez joined the collaboration and supported the students’ efforts, the presentation said. A short recap video of the Peace Walk was shown and district staff said the event included a morning ceremony, a procession along Citrus Boulevard and a community gathering at a museum and church that included prayer and performances.
Why it matters: student civic‑engagement projects that connect research, community partners and a public event can raise local awareness of safety and bring students into county‑level competitions that offer financial awards to support school programs.
Board response and next steps
Superintendent Mendez and trustees attended the event and praised student voice; district staff said they hope the students will return to present at a future board meeting should they place in the county competition.
Ending: The student team will take its presentation to Tulare County judges; the district will follow up with the outcome and any funds earned for the Freedom ASB.
