Peace Warriors: Transforming School Culture

Jessica Rule, 18, began her journey at Illinois State University this academic year, majoring in musical theater. Javon Phillips, also 18, left his Austin neighborhood for Northern Illinois University with aspirations in computer science. Both stood outside their former school, West Garfield’s Legal Prep Charter Academy, wearing red shirts declaring them as ‘Peace Warriors.’ This marked the end of a chapter for them as they stepped into their futures.

Rule and Phillips were part of Legal Prep’s group of 46 Peace Warriors last year. This initiative involved both students and staff in a student-led restorative justice effort. The program was developed by Pastor Gerald Smith, known as Pastor Peace, who has long advocated for teaching youths how to resolve conflicts. Rule remarked, ‘It’s not just what we do within the school; it’s a way of life.’ She joined the Warriors to promote change at school. Phillips found personal transformation through his involvement.

Before the implementation of the Peace Warriors, Legal Prep experienced three significant fights weekly. Principal Marquan Morrison, an alum of Legal Prep’s first graduating class, credits Pastor Smith for transforming the school’s culture. The program involves a thorough process: applicants apply, interview, take exams, and learn mediation skills. Pastor Smith initiated this program after officiating many funerals for young people.

Pastor Smith expressed, ‘I’m asking their friends: Why did this person have to die? What was the issue? I realized school is a place to transform thinking.’

Smith has been supporting and mentoring youths since 1992, understanding their challenges. He believes educators must focus effort on nurturing compassion rather than grief. Peace Warriors are trained in the nonviolence principles of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. to foster change within the school and broader community. They assist in de-escalating conflicts on and off-campus.

Smith previously managed a similar program at North Lawndale College Prep High School and brought his expertise to Legal Prep during the 2025-26 school year. A typical Peace Warrior begins their day playing music at school, engaging with peers, and monitoring interactions for potential conflicts. They actively check social media to mitigate disputes and provide emotional support to students in need.

When conflicts arise, Peace Warriors intervene and facilitate peace circles, offering a platform for conflict resolution through mediation. Rule emphasized, ‘We give them space to talk it out, so we can move forward.’ The process involves reflecting on actions, writing letters of accountability, and reading them publicly to rebuild trust.

Most Peace Warriors have personal histories with violence or bullying, motivating them to seek peaceful solutions. According to Legal Prep’s founder, Samuel Finkelstein, the program significantly reduced physical conflicts last year. The Institute for Nonviolence Chicago and New Mount Pilgrim MB Church contribute to student safety during school dismissals.

Finkelstein plans to expand the program to local elementary schools, fostering mentorship between older and younger students. He believes empowering students through leadership opportunities can alleviate broader social issues, like the ‘teen trends’ phenomenon. Almethia Franklin, a researcher, explains that these trends result from a lack of community spaces.

The Peace Warriors initiative exemplifies how student-led efforts can redefine school environments and contribute to community well-being.