On écrit sur les murs: Peace and hope

As they taped the huge poster to the wall and “On écrit sur les murs” played over someone’s phone, the French 3 students from Shepard High School sang along and smiled.

The lyrics, which they’d studied as a vocabulary exercise, came easily.

Performed by Kids United, started by UNICEF, the song features messages about peace and hope in the world. Students of teacher Kelly Karstrand prompted her so often about it that she brainstormed a way to create a lesson based on the song.

“The idea of the song is about writing your hopes and dreams for the world on walls in the form of graffiti. After studying vocabulary and the meaning behind the song, we made our own ‘wall of peace and hope messages,’” she said.

When they learned of the project at Shepard, Karstrand’s students at Richards High School campaigned to create their own wall. Karstrand of course agreed.

Students found meaning in the music, art, and language of the work.

“’On écrit sur les murs’ was one of the most honest, raw, and genuine school projects I have ever done,” said Shepard sophomore Alayne Trinko. “My classmates and I were able to share what we want the world to become with our entire school.”

“This project is very dear to me. From the moment I found out about it I have been filled with excitement. It’s important to express positive perspectives on the future because we are the next generation,” said Shepard junior Denise Graham.

Adrian Olivares recalled a quote from Helen Keller as he worked on the wall.

“She once said ‘alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.’ That is what we need to do, for all of us to spread love, respect, compassion, and so much more,” said the Shepard junior.

Many students felt a need to express views of peace and hope in the current climate.

“These times we live in sometimes prove to be hard and we all have to remember to be united and to look toward the future in a positive way,” said Shepard junior