P.S. 99 STUDENTS SCULPT

AN IDEA FOR PEACE

Students Plan a 6-Foot “Guardian” Sculpture

to Be Presented to Local Cemetery

 Karla Gomez is just 10, but she is already an advocate for peace.  “We need lots of peace,” she said at P.S. 99 in Kew Gardens where she was taking part in the Gargoyle Project with more than 20 other students from grades two to six.

 The program, part of Newsday’s FutureCorps, an initiative that involves thousands of students across Queens and Long Island in community service, is a plan to create a 6-foot “guardian” sculpture to be presented to the Maple Grove Cemetery when the project is completed in May of next year.

 “It should be something showing peace after what is going around in the world,” said Karla.  “It should be something angelic with animals around protecting it.”

Teacher Roberta Nelson said the students were working with their parents and visual artist Karen Fitzgerald.  Nelson said students would submit their ideas and discuss the project before a decision is made in April.

Jeremy Rosenberg, 10, says the sculpture should be “out of the ordinary, something abstract.”  He added:  “My idea is a goat breathing fire.  It is a good cemetery because it will accept anyone and it should have an abstract sculpture.”

The Gargoyle Project has given Jennifer Tone, 11, an avenue to express herself.

 “I have always wanted people to hear my feelings.  I think it is important

to let people know what you think and how you feel,” she said.

 “If more people expressed themselves, the world would be more peaceful.  My Mom and Dad have encouraged me to express myself and encouraged me to be peaceful ad to explore my feelings.”