Lewiston Middle School hosts first Cultural Heritage Night

Lewiston Middle School (LMS) will host its first Cultural Heritage Night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25. The event will feature presentations about Franco-American and Somali heritage and displays by Bates College international students (from countries including Nepal, South Africa, Vietnam, Pakistan and Trinidad) who will share their traditions, music and dress. Bates dining services will provide a variety of ethnic foods for tasting. The public is invited free of charge to attend the event, held in the school’s large cafeteria on the second floor at the rear of the building.

“This Cultural Heritage Night is just one step in attempting to promote understanding of different cultures in our middle school and in the city of Lewiston,” said LMS Principal Maureen LaChapelle.

Under the direction of their French teacher, Michel Courchesne, eighth-grade LMS students will present work they have completed about the local Franco-American community. Somali students from the LMS English-as-a-Second-Language program, taught by teacher Becca Smith and ed tech Pam Snowe and assisted by Bates College students Danika Helb, Jennifer Bailey and Julie Gage, will also make presentations. The school’s Civil Rights Team, advised by teacher Beth Woodhead and guidance counselor Deanna Marken, will address the gathering, while Mohammed Abdi, the LMS community coordinator, will discuss Somali culture.

The event is sponsored by the Lewiston Middle School Parent Teacher Partnership Organization. “We hope knowledge and understanding will lead to acceptance and friendship,” said Tom Robustelli, president of the parent group.