MasterPeace is a non-profit organization established in 2010 with the purpose of building the idea of community, peace and eliminating armed conflict with the use of music, art, sports and dialogue. Seniors Hassan Seoudi, Paniz Farokhnia and Ria Sethi, have made it their mission to bring the charity to the local area. The MasterPeace organization Seoudi set up in Texas was the first branch in the United States.

“I found out about MasterPeace through a family member and immediately spent countless hours researching every part of it trying to find out how I can help the cause,” Seoudi said. “Once I found out I could interview with them to get my own club, I immediately prepared for what would be the most important moment in my life.”

With the connecting nature of music, these students are able to promote togetherness

“I am very passionate about music and have believed that it has lost its definition as self-expression,” Farokhnia said. “Music has become way too commercial in our society today, and this organization brings it back to the true meaning and makes it about uniting and connecting through music, which to me is the most beautiful thing ever.”

Seoudi is the president of the local MasterPeace branch, Farokhnia is the associate leader and Sethi is the event coordinator. Together they plan out community events.

“I hope to be able to bring more people to events and help them understand the goal of the organization,” Sethi said. “MasterPeace is a unique way to bring people together instead of the usual speeches and lectures given at organizations like this.”

MasterPeace is currently active in more than 30 different countries including The Netherlands, Egypt and now the United States. It was founded by social entrepreneurs, Ilco van der Linde from The Netherlands and Mohamed Helmy from Egypt. In 2006, these co-founders coordinated a Dance4Life event to raise awareness and bring attention to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). After Dance4Life, Linde and Helmy aspired to continue this practice and create a worldwide foundation of peace-makers.

“Everyone can accomplish any of their goals in the world we live in today,” Seoudi said. “No matter how young you are or how poor you are. Make sure to make the best of your current situation and do your best to make an impact on your community.”

These students put in copious amounts of efforts to organize community events that encourage and develop cooperation and peaceful relations around the world.

“I would definitely suggest going on the website and checking out the organization,” Farokhnia said. “It just takes one person to make a difference.”