Skip to main content
Good News Thursday

Good News Thursday: Animation program helps children talk about world issues, French artist dedicates mural to Ukrainian POWs

Animation program helps children talk about world issues

Elementary school students in California use animation to learn about and discuss world issues. The students then use these animations to express their feelings on the matter. (CNN, KSLA, Alameda Fire Department, KSBW)

Elementary school students in San Diego, California are using an animation program to discuss world issues — including racism and gun violence.

The fifth-grade students in the National School District choose a topic and are using animation to explain their thoughts and feelings on the subject. The students get to share these animations with the world and come up with ways to solve the problem.

“Just because you’re a different race doesn’t mean that you have to be rude or to, not, not to be nice to them because it’s really hurtful for those people,” said Christian Lopez, who chose racism as his topic.

French artist dedicates mural to Ukrainian POWs

 class=
French artist Christian Guemy dedicates this mural to executed Ukrainian prisoners of war. This mural is a rendering of Oleksandr Matsiyevsky. (Ukrainian Parliament)

French artist Christian Guemy, also known as C215, painted a mural on one of the administrative buildings of the Ukrainian Parliament in Kyiv. The mural is a rendering of Ukrainian prisoner of war Oleksandr Matsiyevsky, who was executed by Russian forces and received the “Hero of Ukraine” medal after his death.

Matsiyevsky shouted “Glory to Ukraine!” before his execution, which inspired the inscription of the mural that reads, “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!”

Vyacheslav Shtuchnyi, the Head of the Apparatus of Ukraine’s Parliament, said the mural is a tribute to all heroes who defend Ukraine every day and give their lives for its independence.

Rescue dog chosen as 'Bark Ranger'

 class=
Betty Faith, the Gateway Arch Park's newest 'Bark Ranger,' poses in front of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. (Gateway Arch Park Foundation)

The Gateway Arch Park in St. Louis, Missouri chooses a “Bark Ranger Superintendent” every year with pet parents submitting photos of their dogs for the honor. This year a 12-year-old basset hound named Betty Faith received the title.

Betty Faith was rescued from an extreme breeding and hoarding situation, her owners said. They adopted her from the Humane Society of Missouri in December 2020. Betty Faith is ready to take on her role to support Gateway Arch Park.