PEACE WEEK IN LAS VEGAS

By Jill Diamond

Nevada`s Governor Brian Sandoval has declared the first Peace Week in Las Vegas and World Boxing Council Cares was invited to join this historic event.

Peace Week was designed towards a State Wide recognition and movement towards a culture of peace, and to help students understand and manage conflict in their own lives.

Using our fine athletes and members of the boxing community, our mission was to inspire unity and tolerance using tenants of WBC Cares, BoxVal and Scholas Occurrentes. This was a natural task, given that at the WBC, our sports is based upon principles of equity, sportsmanship and respect. After the terrible tragedy last year in Las Vegas, it was a particularly poignant privilege.

It was an honor to bring an amazing and compassionate group to speak at two schools. Never have I been so moved, or so proud of our President Mauricio Sulaiman and all the WBC people who combined to fulfil this task.

At Van Tobel EMS, we took our places among an excited group of more than a thousand students. Cheer leaders performed, the Assemblyman spoke and games were played. In spite of the high spirits, the message to all was serous. We must learn to live together in peace and dignity.

The boxers and officials with us spoke openly to the youngsters about the principles of our sports and our love for each other. While at the other end of the school, a Mariachi Band played, while athletes posed for photos. Some WBC Members stayed behind and went on to speak at various classes that were reconvening, after the assembly.

At Indian Springs EMS, there were another four hundred students, eager to learn from our athletes and take photos with them, when the Assembly was concluded. This is a smaller school, but the camaraderie and message were equal to Van Tobel.

Cheerleaders, a marching band and Ava-a six year old girl, had the courage to speak in front of the combined classes, about peace and humanity. After the Assembly, the athletes gave away WBC merchandise along with messages of encouragement and anti bullying.

At the WBC, Boxing is a sport where people are measured by their talent and character. Our fighting remains in the ring. Our love begins outside of it, and our belief in sportsmanship has no boundaries. We were proud to share our thoughts with the students.

If we changed one mind, inspired one child or softened one heart, then our mission was successful. World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman and WBC Cares, wish to thank our wonderful athletes, who took time from their busy lives, and especially to our Team Leaders Shannon Torres-Gilman and NVBHOF President Michelle Corrales-Lewis, without whom we couldn`t have accomplished this, and a special cheer to WBC`s Alain Flores, who assisted to make sure we had the wonderful shirts and giveaways designed for the schools.

Never has there been a time when the heinous acts of a few have brought tragedy to so many. At the WBC, we are dedicated to using love as our shield against hate, and respect as a shield against intolerance.

With joyous appreciation to those who participated: Michelle Corrales-Lewis, Shannon Torres-Gilman, Fernando Vargas, Emilliano Vargas, Diego Magdelino, Alexis Espino, Marlen Esperaza, Ishe Smith, Robert Hoyle, Ava Knight, Jessie Vargas, Racine Rahman, Billy Hayes and Dawn Kelly.