Posted 2:41 am Sunday, February 28, 2010
Lee Student Guardian Of Journalist Pearl's Legacy
Jessica Emery will not let the memory of Daniel Pearl fade - what he stood for is far too important.
He continues to inspire.
And now, as a custodian of Pearl's legacy, the Robert E. Lee High School junior is showing just how inspiring she can be.
And now, as a custodian of Pearl's legacy, the Robert E. Lee High School junior is showing just how inspiring she can be.
In 2002, Pearl, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was kidnapped and murdered at the hands of extremists in Pakistan.
Emery knows his story very well.
During a presentation to parents of International Baccalaureate students at Lee, she told how Pearl, an American journalist, traveled the globe encouraging people of different - often feuding - cultures to reach out to one another.
During a presentation to parents of International Baccalaureate students at Lee, she told how Pearl, an American journalist, traveled the globe encouraging people of different - often feuding - cultures to reach out to one another.
His message was simple: we all need to try harder, much harder, to understand one another and live in harmony.
An accomplished violinist/fiddler, Pearl used music to bridge cultural gaps. He played for and with people wherever he went. He found that music was a powerful common bond.
Jonathan Cooper, a violin maker, was so inspired by Pearl's passion for music that he crafted a violin and gave it to Mark O'Connor, a talented fiddler. They called it the Pearl Peace Violin and decided that each year a sensational young musician at one of O'Connor's music camps would be able to play this special violin for one year.
There was however, one, requirement, and it was indeed a big requirement. The young recipient had to spread Pearl's message of peace and harmony.
This is where Jessica comes in.
Last year Jessica, a sensational young musician, attended O'Connor's camp and was granted "custody" of a Pearl Peace Violin.
Last year Jessica, a sensational young musician, attended O'Connor's camp and was granted "custody" of a Pearl Peace Violin.
Jessica says that the violin has changed her life.
"To be given this opportunity to spread harmony and love through Daniel Pearl's life story and this Peace Violin is a blessing for me," she is quoted after receiving the violin.
"The Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin has the ability to spread joy and peace to all. I am humbled by the thought of all the extraordinary violinists who have played this violin before me, and I am honored to be given the duty to continue sharing his story."
To help share Pearl's story, Jessica is organizing what she is calling the Pearl Peace Project Memorial Concert. It will take place at 7 p.m. on April 17 in the Fine Arts Center at Lee High School.
Jessica and many of her friends will perform. It will also feature professional musicians.
They will play music from different countries and cultures. She will talk about Daniel Pearl and making the world a more compassionate place.
