"Community Awareness Night" was held on May 7, 2003 at Davisville Middle School. The day began with a student assembly featuring Arn Chorn Pond, a survivor of the Cambodian Killing Fields, and documentary film maker Jocelyn Glatzer. Jocelyn met Arn when both were students. The two became friends and she became interested in helping others become familiar with his life story. A documentary, entitled "The Flute Player", will air this summer on PBS; students and staff at DMS had the privilege of seeing a short preview of this film. Arn, a musician, raises money for the Cambodian Master Performers Program. His goal is to preserve the traditional music of Cambodia and to help Cambodian-Americans to know and value their musical tradition. Unfortunately nearly 90% of Cambodia's musicians were killed by the Khmer Rouge when they took over the country. After viewing the film, Arn answered students' questions about his experiences. He then played a selection on his flute. It was an informative and moving presentation.
The evening program included a guest speaker, student performances, and displays of student art work and writing. The speaker for the evening was Mr. Anthony Maione, the Executive Director of the National Council of Community and Justice. He spoke of the need for tolerance in our society and praised the efforts of Davisville Middle School to promote a respect for diversity. Below are some pictures from this year's celebration. Click here to view information on a previous Community Awareness Night.
Event organizer, Mrs. Boisclair, with Arn Chorn Pond and film maker
Jocelyn Glatzer.
Arn speaking with students and
staff following presentation Principal Jane Kondon
welcoming guests to Community Awareness Night Mrs. Griffin explained her
project, "Drumming for Peace" and showed a brief video of
the drumming workshops which have taken place at DMS this
year. Click
here to learn more
about this exciting project. Student projects on Famous
Black Americans Student poems and essays on
the Holocaust.
Guest
speaker, Mr. Anthony Maione of the National Council of
Community and Justice addresses the audience.
Students on Team OGold sang "It's
a Wonderful World". They are accompanied by DMS Staff
members Mr. Shaffer, Mr. Gilmartin, and Mr.
Hoffer.
Students in Mr. Shaffer's
Puppetry Workshop performed a play entitled "When Awful
Things Happen". It was based on the play "Terrible Things"
by Eve Bunting and deals with the theme of
intolerance.
Mohamadou Diakite and Dana
Maguire leading a drumming session
DMS students drumming for peace.
Student art work dealing with
themes of tolerance and diversity.
