On Wednesday, May 21, students in the Gifted and Talented (GATE) program at Lisbon High School along with students from Edward Little, Leavitt, Lewiston and Oak Hill will be attending a Celebration of Excellence. The celebration will be held at the University of Southern Maine, Lewiston-Auburn College from 9:30 – 11:00.

The Androscoggin Valley Educational Collaborative for the Gifted and Talented (AVEC) sponsor the program. Students in the Young Writers, Creative Arts, Math/Science and Contemporary Issues program will be showcasing their year’s collaborative work. This year, students in the Contemporary Issues program worked on a mission to help refugee camps in Ghana. “Liberia has been suffering from internal conflicts for decades, as a result of corrupt government leaders, and a crumbling economy. Since the 1980’s, Liberia hasn’t even been safe enough for civilian inhabitance; hence, many civilians have become permanent residents in a refugee camp, located in Ghana,” shares Lisbon High School member, Asiah McLain.

Students in the Lisbon High School program focused on interviewing Mark Nordenson who visited a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana. The students questioned him as to how people get involved. The group Children Better Way is one program that sends Volunteers who bring supplies to the kids.

Other schools throughout Maine collected school supplies and equipment for the people in Ghana.

“You couldn’t even tell they were human beings, they couldn’t even walk!” shares Alexandria Campbell, another LHS member of the program. “All the pictures online showed, bone-skinny people. It brought all of the things you see on TV to life,” commented Justin Hovey.