From closet to classroom: the Peace Pole odyssey

After being in the janitors closet for some time, English teacher, Ms. Ellis moved the Peace Pole into her room where it remains now. Lately, there has been talk of the Peace Pole being moved to where everyone in our school can see it, once again. In Spring of 2007 the Peace Pole was first installed in the courtyard. The Peace Pole is made out of cedar lebanon and is worth almost $1000. Susan Brouillette, a former history teacher applied for a grant from MassMutual for the pole, and ended up receiving it shortly after.

There was a ceremony that was held in honor of the Peace Pole on June 6, 2008 at 3 o’clock. The night before the ceremony, the Peace Pole was stolen out of the courtyard and was later found by police officers, damaged in the nearby woods. It is still unknown as to who was involved in damaging it. Woodshop teacher William O’neil who installed the Peace Pole, said “(It’s) so ironic that something that symbolizes peace gets vandalized.” Many teachers and people involved in making recognition towards the Peace Pole were upset that someone would try to destroy something so meaningful. The Peace Pole was fixed and reinstalled shortly after being found and the ceremony for the pole still took place as scheduled.

The Peace Pole was taken a second time, as a senior prank and was found soon after it was taken, taped to a telephone pole. There was no punishment to the students who were found guilty for taking the pole.

Currently, the Peace Pole is located in the classroom of English teacher, Heather Ellis. There has been talk of moving it to the “triangular” garden right behind the main office. Ellis said, to her, “It is a space that is more size appropriate for the importance of the Peace Pole. The center courtyard was just too large and seemed to dwarf the Peace Pole.” Once the weather gets to be nicer out, it is most likely that the Peace Pole will be put in the garden, for everyone to see as they walk in the school. There is also talk about another ceremony taking place to honor the Peace Pole becoming a known part of our school again. Ellis also said that “To me, the Peace Pole is a symbol to remind us that there is hardship and suffering in the world that goes on everyday. Millions of people struggle with disease, violence; they lack access to education, clean water, the basics of life.”