DIXFIELD – Josh White was one of scores of Dirigo High School students who had a chance to learn about different lifestyles, religions and cultures during Diversity and Cultural Awareness Day.

“I love it. I come every year,” the senior from East Dixfield said of Monday’s activities at the school.

White plans to attend the New England Institute of Art in Boston next year to study filmmaking.

For Mitchell Lemay of Peru and Stephen Zadakis of Dixfield, both juniors who want to go into engineering, the day gave them a chance to learn about many topics they have had an interest in.

For Lemay, it was about domestic violence and sign language.

“We learned what we could say and not say, and what good and bad relationships are,” he said.

Zadakis was surprised to learn about the intensity of Jewish rituals and the meaning of the traditions and foods of Jewish holidays.

In one of the second-floor classrooms, Pious Ali, a Portlander from the Maine Interfaith Youth Alliance, spoke of the differences in religions, and how Islam, of which he is a follower, and Judaism both have conservative and liberal sects.

He said Muslims belong to the same faith, but have differing beliefs within that faith.

Chelsea Bernard, a senior from Dixfield, was surprised to learn about the rituals involved in Judaism. She sipped on matzo ball soup that presenter Deb Saphier prepared for students.

Earlier in the day, Bernard attended a presentation on Baha’i.

Her friend, Abby Beggs, also a senior from Dixfield, sampled haroset, a chopped apple and nut dish often served during certain Jewish holidays. She had been a presenter herself earlier in the day, for Voices Committed to Change, which had previously been known as Voices Changing Choices. There, she led a discussion on relationships and oppression.

Others heard people discussing what it was like to live in Venezuela, the Republic of Georgia, Japan, and other nations. White had a chance to sample Japanese and other ethnic foods at lunchtime.

In the gym, at the conclusion of the day, students and teachers gathered to hear about the political and social difficulties in Sudan that have led people to immigrate from that African nation to Europe, Canada or the United States.

Wilfried Plalum of Portland led a dance that native Sudanese often take part in. Near the end, dozens of high school students left the bleachers and joined in.

Michael Poulin, who was experiencing his first Diversity Day as principal of the school, was pleased with the high attendance.

“The students are getting things here that they can’t in their regular education,” he said.

He also had high praise for the special day’s organizer, Norm Greenberg, the school’s learning lab coordinator.

“He has gone above and beyond,” Poulin said.