By KEITH EDWARDS
Staff Writer Sunday, January 28, 2007

If that seems like an awfully diverse range of subjects, well, that's the whole point: Monday is the annual Cony Diversity Day.

"It's to help students to better understand different cultures and ways of life they may not have a good understanding of," said William Adams, a Cony senior and also a member of the Cony Civil Rights Team, the student group that organizes the day's activities. "At the end of the day, it has an impact on students. I think it helps make the school a better place to be."

Many of the presenters are local. So, despite Maine's relatively homogenous population, students can see a personal connection to people with diverse backgrounds.

The "growing up French in Augusta" presentation, for example, will be led by Augusta teacher and coach Paul Vachon and Cony security officer Bob Vachon. Cony student Hannah Sher will perform Pakistani dance.

Other presentations are scheduled to include African drumming, sign language, holistic living, Latin dance, American Field Service, living with autism and a religious forum featuring local leaders representing numerous religions.

Assistant Principal Peter Kahl said students can choose not to attend any of the presentations if they are uncomfortable with the subject matter.

"They can opt out," Kahl said. "We don't want to make anyone feel anxious or uncomfortable."

Adams said students decide as a group which sessions they want to attend in their adviser groups. The activities are varied, and Adams said he hoped each would help combat bullying and promote tolerance.

This year, Cony Diversity Day returns to a focus on diversity in general, after a focus last year more specifically on bullying and harassment, according to Kahl.

In April 2005, Cony held a schoolwide assembly on civil rights, bullying and harassment in response to a stabbing at Cony in which a student was injured earlier that school year.

And in December 2006, the Augusta Board of Education approved a new policy setting procedures for staff to follow when bullying occurs in the schools.

The 10 Cony Civil Rights Team members secure speakers for the day, including the many local religious leaders signed on to participate in a forum in which each has a chance to describe their religion.

Kahl noted many high school students may not have had a chance to interact with people from other cultures in Maine.

"The goal is to educate and create a sense of accepting among our students," he said.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com