HIGH POINT – A group of Southwest Guilford High School students offered some ideas to promote peace Friday for the annual observance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks.

The 19 students in a leadership class took time during a “Notes for Hope” session to think about how to promote peace and understanding on a day when many people still may have troubles with anger and even hatred.

The notes will be sent to Iraqi students and American troops by the National Conference for Community and Justice of the Piedmont Triad Inc. NCCJ chose Sept. 11 as a day to reach across boundaries to build relationships and to promote dialogue.

Eight years ago, the students were age 10 or younger.

Senior Steven Thompson remembered how he worried about his mother who worked near the Colonial Pipeline Co. tank farm in western Guilford County. Following the 2001 attacks, speculation arose that the complex could be a target for terrorists.

“It is important to get our message out today, and this is a good day to do it,” Thompson said.

The student group also created posters emphasizing peace, diversity and cooperation. They finished their session with a “tug peace” on a circular rope to show how it takes cooperation to sit down together and then stand up again.

“This is the perfect day for everyone to come together,” said senior Amber Turner. “This is important for the class also to help us work together and to offer a positive influence. We need to bond with each other so we can help our school.”

The program is one of several NCCJ has offered previously to adults, said Susan Feit, executive director of the local NCCJ chapter.

“People want to do something positive and they don’t feel they have the power,” said Feit, who lived in Israel for more than 20 years before returning to the United States in 2004. “Our job is to give people a voice to show them that it does matter.”

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