(WXYZ) — There was a celebration at Ecorse High School on Thursday in honor of a safer environment.
Students tell Action News there seemed to be a fight every week. There was also a big brawl, which had erupted last December at a high school basketball game. However, school officials and students say there hasn't been a fight since then.
They say it's thanks to Pastor Ovella Davis of United Communities of America. She visits with groups of students every week to teach them about conflict resolution and how to preach peace.
Davis says the youth violence initiative "puts two schools in competition on ways to devalue violence and promote peace."
"The (students) gain points for positive initiatives for peace and lose points for fights," Davis added.
Since late October, Ecorse and Robichaud high schools have been in friendly competition with one another. The school with the most points each month gets a trophy and pizza party. Ecorse won the latest round, but so far, the schools are tied. Students say everybody still wins because it is making a difference.
Niguel Curney, a junior at Ecorse High School, says they feel empowered to spread peace and it's working.
"It starts with you first," Curney said. "You have to be more positive to spread to others."
Student Layna Craig says she's proud of the work they're doing.
"I feel important because I'm helping other people stop fighting... stopping the violence," Craig said.
School officials say the youth violence initiative competition will continue through the school year.
