Mural project a bridge to peace
Global Connections artists have been busy this last
year in Holmdel and in Kosovo. Students have designed and painted
murals with the themes of world peace and building understanding in our world.
Each school worked on their projects independently, and it was exciting the
see how the concept and presentation differed. 
Holmdel High School’s mural was designed by Alicia, Noelle , Jon, Linda,
Pete, and Mrs. Cerqueira. The mural adorns the 400s corridor at Holmdel High
School, adding color and a positive message where before there was white wall.
The mural features a globe, with three multiethnic arms interlocking around
a dove. The word “peace” in varying languages surrounds the Earth,
spreading outward to the star-patterned universe. Noelle, 16, commented,
“We went with an Earth-universe theme, because peace is and should be a universal
concept, especially in a post 9-11 world.”
The Kosovar murals have become full-blown community based projects.
The Jovan Cvijic School in Strpce, a Serbian enclave in the American sector
of Kosovo, the teens decided to paint it on the outer wall of the Internet
center at the school.
The mural project quickly became the focus of town life in Strpce.
Tragically, in mid-May, a fire swept through 
the Jovan Cvijic High School, severely damaging the school. Dusan
told Mrs. Cerqueira “the kids were not defeated by the fire. In fact,
they are more determined than ever to inspire tolerance in their community.”
Branko Stanojevic, 16, said, “It is no matter. The idea of the mural
is still there. We will just have to fix it, and see it completed.”
Majlinda, 17, an Albanian student, said, “We are so upset about the fire
in Strpce. We have gotten to know the Serbians there, and they are
nice people. It is a terrible thing to lose your school.”
In Pristina, Kosovo’s capital city, the two stories high mural is on the
outside of the Xhevdet Doda School. The school is very small, having
only 13 classroom and is heated by ancient coal burning stoves. Over
900 students attend the Xhevdet Doda School. Split sessions begin at
6 am and run till 11 pm in the evening.
Arta, 14, began working on the mural because she believed that, “The young
people of Kosova must change their attitude, so Kosova will flourish in the
future. We want no more wars. We want democracy here.”
With the aid of the United State Army 131st Mobile Public Affair Unite
attaché, Captain John Tongret, and Major Mark Stainbrook, United States
Marine Corp, both murals were made possible. Brigadier General Keith
Huber, commander of all American forces in Kosovo, visited Mrs. Cerqueira’s
Serbian students while they were working on the project in early May.
Dusan Davidovic, 17, said, “The General is a fine man who was very excited
to see the students in Strpce focusing on peace and not war or fighting.
I told him that Mrs. Cerqueira is a wonderful lady who has helped us very
much.”
Mesut, 17, an Albanian student from Pristina, expressed similar views.
“If there is to be peace in our future, the young people have to think of
peace, and not revenge. Our mural will help us to think of peace each
day. It is nice to know that our friends in Holmdel are thinking of
us, too.”