Peace Takes Root at Warren County Middle School: Final Peace Pole Marks Community Milestone

A powerful symbol of unity and hope was planted this week at Warren County Middle School (WCMS), marking the completion of a countywide initiative by the Warren County Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Front Royal to install Peace Poles at every Warren County Public School.

Photos Courtesy of Rotary Club of Front Royal

With this final installation, every public school in the county now displays a Peace Pole — a visual reminder of inclusion, community, and the shared hope for peace. These simple yet meaningful monuments carry the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth,” translated into multiple languages spoken by students in the school community.

The WCMS pole features eight languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Farsi, Vietnamese, Arabic, Tagalog, and Thai. Each language reflects the diversity found within the school’s student body and celebrates the cultures that shape the county’s future.

“Rotary Peace Poles are catalysts for bringing communities together,” said Lori Glascock of the Front Royal Rotary Club. “Today, we’re showing that peace begins with action — and with our youth.”

The installation ceremony brought together members of the WCMS Interact Club, school administrators, and Rotary Club leaders, along with key representatives from Warren County Public Schools, including Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Heather Bragg and School Board Chair Kristen Pence.

Also attending were Rotary family members Timmy Mawyer and Clint Pierpoint, who assisted in the installation of the pole, and Angie Moore and Lori Glascock, representing the Rotary Club’s commitment to education, inclusion, and peace-building.

Peace Poles have become globally recognized monuments since their inception following World War II. The tradition began with Japanese poet Masahisa Goi, who authored the now-famous message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Since then, more than 250,000 Peace Poles have been installed in countries worldwide.

Rotary International, a global service organization with over 1.4 million members, has embraced Peace Poles as a symbol of its commitment to peace, education, and community engagement. Locally, the Rotary Club of Front Royal and Warren County Rotary Club have long supported Interact and EarlyAct clubs at both the high school and elementary levels, empowering young people to serve their communities and promote global understanding.

Each Peace Pole serves as a reminder that peace begins at home, in our schools, throughout our community, and within our own hearts.

The initiative not only beautifies school campuses but also fosters conversations around peace, empathy, and civic responsibility — making it clear that, in Warren County, peace is more than a symbol. It’s a shared mission.