President, Justin Roberts

With constant mentions of violence and crime in the city, students at American International College wanted to get the word out that Springfield can be a great place to live. 
“We wanted students and people who live in this community to come together and walk for peace in the city,” said Justin D. Roberts, the student body president and organizer of the event. The Walk for Peace was held at the college running track on Cortland Street Sunday and was hosted by the college’s student government and the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Students and other Springfield residents walked a mile on the track to support peace in the city. Mary C. Akers, the assistant director of athletics at the college, helped organize the event and walked a mile as well. Although Roberts will graduate this year he hopes the walk will be come an annual event. “I hope other students will choose to continue advocating for peace in our community,” he said. The American Red Cross blood mobile and the Lions Club eyemobile were also present at the event.