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Students Plant Roses For Area Peace Garden
Rose
Four local Escalon FFA members helped to plant roses this past week, putting in 80 of the 217 roses that will be featured in the World Peace Rose Garden in Stockton. Here, FFAers Natalie Bianchi, Will Turner, Thomas Avilla and Rowan Murphy are flanked by T.J. David, Co-Creator International World Peace Rose Garden Organization, at left, and Sandy Huber, right, who had the vision and inspiration to bring one to the area. Photo Contributed

Several Escalon High School FFA members had the opportunity for some unique community service work recently – rolling up their sleeves and digging in to the dirt to plant the first roses in an historic ‘peace’ garden.

They were involved in the planting of roses at the University Park World Peace Rose Garden in Stockton, which will be unveiled later this week.

“Amazing thing considering there are only nine of them internationally at this time, that they had the opportunity to take a part in it,” FFA parent and supporter Bonner Murphy said of the chance for the local students to get involved in the Peace Rose Garden project. “Sandy Huber was the one who had the vision and inspiration to bring one to the area. She followed up and made it all happen.”

The official Dedication Ceremony will take place at the University Park World Peace Rose Garden (UPWPRG) on Thursday, May 26 at 12:30 p.m., at Magnolia and California streets in Stockton. The program will include readings of Inspirational Messages of Peace by local students, a live performance, music by the Cesar Chavez Jazz Band and a petal throwing to conclude the ceremony.

“Bring your friends and family and help us welcome the first World Peace Rose Garden to San Joaquin County,” officials said in the formal news release regarding the dedication.

The event is free and open to the public.

In 2014 Grupe Commercial Company partnered with The International World Peace Rose Gardens to bring the first World Peace Rose Garden to San Joaquin County in University Park, Historic Magnolia District, Stockton. On May 26, the official dedication ceremony of the University Park World Peace Rose Garden will take place. With a message of “Peace Through Nonviolence,” the local garden is one of a series of nine gardens planted in some of the most cultural, historical and sacred grounds throughout the world. The UPWPRG is sister garden to the Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have A Dream” World Peace Rose Garden in Atlanta, Georgia. The two gardens share the theme of “Peace Through Nonviolence.”

For further information visit: universityparkstockton.com/rose-garden.