Zeeland teen gets world’s attention
December 10th, 2008 at 10:20 am by Tony Tagliavia under News
photo of Josiah Tummel, courtesy Zeeland Public Schools
A seventh-grader from Zeeland has achieved something no other student around the nation has: his essay is the only American entry featured in a United Nations booklet called “Peace Messages from Around the World.”
An essay by 13-year-old Josiah Tummel is one of 109 messages in the booklet, one from each of 109 nations. A statement from Zeeland Public Schools says there were 150,000 entries received and copies of the book were sent to “the highest diplomat of each of the 192 UN member states.”
Josiah and his classmates were part of an assignment for their English class at ZPS’ Cityside Middle School.
Here’s his essay:
“I’m a 7th grader at City Side Middle School. I am submitting a letter about peace. I suggest that you consider peace as a topic to talk about this year at your meeting. A reason that peace is important is because if you don’t have peace, you’re never really happy. I mean, think about it, when you’re in a war, are you really happy? Also if you don’t have peace you won’t be successful. Think about it, do these wars really settle anything other than who has the strongest army? No, it doesn’t. So try to stop all of that, it is so crazy to keep going on those wars. So please consider talking about peace this year at the United Nations meeting because without peace it’s a lost cause.
“Sincerely, Josiah.”
Tags: cityside, cityside middle school, josiah tummel, Michigan, Michigan Schools, un, united nations, West Michigan, West Michigan Schools, zeeland, zeeland public schools
Your right kid, War never gave you anything… except the freedoms you enjoy today.
Just remember one thing as you grow up.
Others died in war so you could be free today.
That’s an essay? Man, things have changed since I was in school.
Josiah, congratulations! Stay positive.
Good for you Josiah. Although the result of war provides many of our freedoms, peace can be achieved in many other ways.
Okay Kitty, that was a little RUDE!!!! You shouldnt say things like that… Espically BECAUSE HE IS IN 7TH GRADE!!! HELLLLOOOOO!!!!!! You cant say things like that to someone his age because he is VERY sensitive!!! And it probably was not an essay he had to write, it was a letter… When i was is 7th grade we had to write a letter to the president as an assignment, so back off!!!! BUT GREAT JOB JOSIAH!!!!! You wrote a wonderful essay!!! Hopefully it makes a great impact!!! YOU ROCK MAN!!!!!
Get a clue kittykatty! This is a SEVENTH grader!
Congratulations Josiah!
Is being “HAPPY” the ultimate goal for every person?
I would suggest that sacrifice, servanthood, patience, and selflessness
Is a much better goal to strive for. Those disciplines generally will not produce “happiness”, but rather ultimately leads
to a much better “inner peace”.
The only reason Josiah is recognized is because he is championing the “mantra”
Of the politically left leaning anti-military croud – that has forgotten (or ignored) what happened to AMERICA on September 11, 2001.
Suppose America was a pacifist nation during World War II,
Josiah probably wouldn’t have the freedom to express his eloquent
“anti-war” essay today.
“Of the politically left leaning anti-military croud – that has forgotten (or ignored) what happened to AMERICA…”
Source: Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Croud \Croud\ (kroud), n. (Mus.)
See Crowd, a violin.
Crowd \Crowd\, n. [W. crwth; akin to Gael. cruit. Perh. named
from its shape, and akin to Gr. kyrto`s curved, and E. curve.
Cf. Rote.]
An ancient instrument of music with six strings; a kind of
violin, being the oldest known stringed instrument played
with a bow. [Written also croud, crowth, cruth, and
crwth.]
Although I do agree w/everything you’d written, you still did manage
to offend me; I shall look beyond, this time…
As James [Broun] sang: Say it loud! I play Croud & I’m proud!
Trust that I’ll ever remember 9/11/01; and Congratulations Josiah!
Great job Joshia, and congrats!
Now would the negative one’s get off your soapbox please? Is this really the correct venue to spew your garbage, whether you’re right or wrong? I for one feel it’s a heck of a lot better than what a lot of kids (and you) have to write about. So much hatred…LET IT GO!!!
Wow, is it really necessary for you all to be so negative about this little boy? Whether you’re right or you’re wrong it’s not. This child should be congradulated for his accomplishments rather than to be criticized. He obvioulsy did something right if he recieved this high honor. Let him be.
I’m proud of you Josiah, and I’m sure many others as well.
Actually, Josiah is very much “politically right.” It was just a letter. Just because we all wish for peace doesn’t mean that we don’t know that war is necessary sometimes. He is also very thankful for all those who died for his freedom. I know because he’s my son.
Carolyn,
Sorry that you are reading such harsh, hurtful things towards what your son has written! I love that he is full of hope and faith for the world to be a better place, all children should still feel that way! Jesus commended children for their faith and commanded the rest of us to have that very same faith to enter his kingdom. So keep encouraging him to be full of hope and faith, and may Josiah never loose that faith as he grows up to be a man full of hope, faith, wisdom and integrity!
Blessing!
Another mom of a faith-filled kid
tony was in church on sunday.
Kudos to you, young man, for speaking your mind.