After a wonderful breakfast at the Silence-Heart-Nest Restaurant in the Fremont section of Seattle, we had an easy, slow run to our first school ceremony of the day.

We were welcomed by about 200 children waiting patiently outdoors for us at the Whittier School in the Ballard area of town. Mr. Bryan Pule, the physical education teacher, helped our good friend Daulot Fountain to organized the event here.

We had some of our friends from Seattle to join us as we made our exciting presentation to the children who seemed to really enjoy it. Their rendition of the “Harmony Begins with Me” chant and wave was one of the best. But the real excitement happens when the teachers run with the Torch. Mr. Pule took the Torch followed by the rest of the staff as the children screamed their support enthusiastically and loudly.

The children that had time to touch the Torch afterwards were quite appreciative for the chance to offer their silent wishes for peace and harmony. We are grateful to them for their cooperation and to all the staff who made this ceremony possible.

Driving south to another area of this large city, we made our way to Montlake Elementary. Nayak, our local coordinator for this event, was able to organize a program with the help of Miss Eisenrich who taught the children our song.

Claudia Allan, the Principal, and Tyler Maxwell, the Physical Education Director also helped with the organization of the assembly and the 250 children present. The gymnasium was small so our presentation which started there eventually made it outdoors where the children had room to spread out and follow the teachers in the Harmony Train around the school.

The teachers seemed very enthusiastic as they carried the Torch and led the children on this very warm day in Seattle. This is one of the warmest days we have had since we left Florida a few weeks ago. Even San Diego was not this warm, but the children in all the cities we have traveled to make the days much brighter for us no matter what the weather is outside.

We did not have time to run to the next school as it was yet further south and the traffic was getting heavy. We finally did make it on time to the Madrona K-8 School in the Madrona section of town.

Principal Kaaren Andrews and art teacher Karen Weisman helped our friend Jitavrata to organize this event. There were about 60 children here in the gymnasium anxiously awaiting our arrival with some of the teachers.

After introductions by one of the teachers, we ran in with the Torch to the surprise of the children. Many times we can see a sense of bewilderment and wonder on the faces of most children as we run in with a torch to their school.

But as the ceremony proceeds the children really catch on and get very enthusiastic about our visit. This crowd was no exception and by the time we started heading outside to run with the Torch the kids were ready to run.

We again would like to thank all those who organize these events for us and all the teachers and children who participate. Without them there would be no World Harmony Run.

The Seattle World Harmony Run Team

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