Rotary Plants Peace Pole at Warren County High, Celebrating Youth Leadership and Community Partnerships

On May 9, 2025, at Warren County High School, students, educators, and community leaders gathered for a special ceremony: planting a Peace Pole donated by the Rotary Club of Front Royal. The monument reads “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages and is part of a global Rotary initiative to promote peace and youth engagement across communities.

Special thanks to Clint Pierpoint and Timmy Mawyer for the installation.

“This isn’t just a pole in the ground,” said Rotary member Lori Glascock. “It’s a symbol of hope, unity, and service that reaches far beyond this school.”

The ceremony was part celebration and part call to action. The Peace Pole will carry inscriptions in English, Spanish, French, and Farsi — reflecting some of the school’s spoken languages and the student body’s diversity.

“Rotary Peace Poles are catalysts for bringing communities together,” Glascock explained. “Today, we’re showing that peace begins with action — and with our youth.”

A Legacy of Peace and Service

Peace Poles are recognized around the world as monuments to harmony. The tradition started after World War II, when a Japanese poet, Masahisa Goi, authored the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” Since then, more than 250,000 Peace Poles have been installed worldwide. With over 1.4 million members globally, Rotary International has embraced the symbol to highlight its mission of peace-building through service and education.

At Warren County High School, that mission is already alive through the school’s Interact Club — a Rotary-supported group that empowers students to lead community projects and develop leadership skills.

Principal Ken Knesh praised the partnership: “We are so grateful to Rotary for their support, not just today, but throughout the year — with scholarships, leadership opportunities, and community events.”

Warren County High School Principal Ken Knesh

Principal Knesh with Rotarians.

Youth Voices, Real Impact

Several students from the National Honor Society who have participated in Rotary’s Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) were on hand to share their experiences. Advisor Jyoti Vasishta introduced students present, including Taylor Wrye, Ayaana Vasishta, Alexa Bradley, Allie Musil, and Sadie Patterson — all recognized for their leadership and involvement in school and community programs.

Allie Musil spoke about what she gained from the program: “We did an activity to help understand our leadership styles, and I learned where I fit on a team. But the most meaningful part was the service — packaging food for people in need. It made a difference.”

The Rotary Club has long supported Interact and EarlyAct clubs at both the high school and elementary levels. Skyline Middle School is also working to establish its club, continuing a growing network of student service organizations across the county.

Community Support and School Pride

In addition to school staff and Rotary members, Dr. Christopher Ballenger, Superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, attended the ceremony. He emphasized the importance of community partnerships to student success.

“What Rotary does for our students and our schools is incredible,” Dr. Ballenger said. “It takes a village to raise a child, and today, we’re seeing that village in action.”

Rotarians Laura Potts, Blake Pierpoint, and Amy Mawyer were also present.

“Every time we do one of these, it’s a group effort,” Glascock noted.

A Commitment That Lasts

Before the event concluded, Glascock led the group in reciting the Rotary Four-Way Test — a guiding set of ethical questions that underscore the club’s values:

1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

“These aren’t just words,” Glascock said. “They’re a foundation for how we lead, how we serve, and how we build peace.”

The ceremony closed with a round of applause for the students and a final thank-you to the Rotary Club, whose message was clear: peace isn’t passive. It’s something we plant, nurture, and grow — one school, one student, and one community at a time.