On June 15, 2026, the fifth graders at Old Town Elementary School (Old Town, Maine) performed their original peace song, “The Red in the Rose.” The gymnasium was filled with students and community members. Music teacher Amanda Marquis was obviously proud of her students: “It was inspiring and hopeful to hear the students talk about their passions to make the world a better place. When they put it to music, it made my heart sing!” AWTT education director Connie Carter, who attended the performance, commented: “I challenge you to a dry eye after hearing it.”

As part of AWTT’s School Partnership Project, musician and choir director Con Fullam had visited Old Town Elementary School and Leonard Middle School in mid-April, 2026. The students hosted his portrait in their school – along with seven others – and had researched his story, including the formation of Pihcintu, the multinational girls’ chorus for immigrants and refugees. Fullam founded the chorus in 2006, giving “Voices for the Voiceless.” The students heard and were moved by a Pihcintu video of Somewhere.

Fast forward two months, and the students were performing their own composition, inspired by Pihcintu: “The Red in the Rose.”

Watch video here.

Lyrics to “The Red in the Rose:”

A world filled with peace,
Where love can increase,
What a dream it would be,
For hatred to cease.
War is not the answer,
It only brings pain.
But kindness and caring
Can help us to make change.

CHORUS
The red in the rose is like the heart in the soul,
the heart controls, that’s how it should grow
Lead with love, let compassion show,
Follow the rose and let peace grow.

Be careful of the thorns,
As you walk on your way,
Sometimes people hurt others,
By the words that they say.
But a path built on peace,
Leads to friendship and trust,
When we listen and care,
We grow stronger as us.

BRIDGE
The pillar that rose, let’s the purple hearts show,
For all affected by the sadness of war.
What happened to peace? Can we help it appear?
If our message is clear, then kindness wins here.

CHORUS