OKCPS - Torch Travels to 80 Nations on Six Continents and Two Oklahoma City Schools

LOCATION: Eisenhower Elementary School 1301 N.E. 101^st

DATE: Friday, May 19^th

TIME: 9:00 AM

PHONE: (405) 841-3111

Oklahoma City – Carrying a torch and a message of unity, members of a multi-national team of runners known as the World Harmony Run made their way into Oklahoma City this week as part of a world-wide effort that includes stops in all 50 states. The first stop was Spencer Elementary School where students lined the area in front of the school and waving flags and banners, cheered the runners as they went by.

The team’s next stop is Eisenhower Elementary School at 1301 NE 101^st at 9:00 a.m. on May 19. The theme of Friday’s visit will be one of hello and goodbye as the World Harmony Run is welcomed at Eisenhower for the last time before the elementary school is closed to make way for a new high school being built next year. Students have been preparing for weeks for the torch run, practicing songs and plays to perform for the runners.

Since 1987, millions of people throughout the world have passed the Harmony Torch as a gesture of friendship and understanding. The longest relay run in history, the World Harmony Run does not seek to raise money, support or promote any political cause. It seeks only to create good will among peoples and nations. The run is designed to uplift and inspire hope in people – especially in children. When children participate in the harmony event, they feel they are helping to create the kind of world they will want to inherit. Runners serve as role models for the children. They share many fun adventures they’ve had while running their daily miles, tell a little something about the different countries they are from, and always there are a few good tips on how to create greater harmony and friendship.

The torch first made its way into Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Federal Building back in 1995. The run was asked by Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Guy Sconzo to visit 6 schools where the most children had suffered family and friend losses.

This year’s Harmony Run began in April at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza in NYC with the lighting of 80 torches to be taken back to their representative’s respective countries for individual relays. For more information on the World Harmony Run, log on to www.worldharmonyrun.org .