Contact: Jenni Brockman
Telephone: 804-443-3357
Fax: 804-443-6781

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Invited to SMS Lecture Series

Tappahannock (February 11, 2002) - Area residents are invited to join the St. Margaret's School community for seven exciting, informative evening programs beginning on Monday, February 18.

"Cultural events are one of the best gifts that a school like SMS can give the community," said coordinator Tobey Taliaferro. "We're excited about having such a wonderful group of performances and presentations to share."

Daniel Ssuuna Stanley will bring Ugandan culture alive Photo left: Daniel "Ssuuna" Stanley will bring Ugandan culture alive in a February 26 program at St. Margaret's School. The public is invited to attend as part of the school's evening lecture series.

There is no charge for attending the programs, each of which will last approximately an hour. The series includes:

Program Monday, February 18, 2002, 7:30 p.m. - "Women of Afghanistan," with Anita Botti, Deputy Director of the Office of International Women's Issues at the U.S. State Department in Washington, DC. Ms. Botti, mother of SMS senior Danielle Magid, will discuss the status of women during the Taliban regime and today. Reading Room, Viola H. Woolfolk Center.

Program Tuesday, February 19, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "The Art of Thai Dance," featuring Piyavalee and Panadda Thanasetkorn of Bangkok. Their program will include the traditional fan dance of southern Thailand. Ball Memorial Gymnasium.

Program Wednesday, February 20, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "Remembering the Holocaust," presented by Jay M. Ipson, Chairman of the Virginia Holocaust Museum. Mr. Ipson will recount his own experiences as a concentration camp prisoner and describe the Richmond museum's programs. Reading Room, Viola H. Woolfolk Center.

Program Thursday, February 21, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "Deaf Culture," presented by Holly P. Roth and translated from American Sign Language by Susan AtLee Walker. Ms. Roth, a deaf person who works at Gallaudet University, will discuss a culture virtually unknown to most Americans, although its members speak the third-most utilized language in the US. Reading Room, Viola H. Woolfolk Center.

Program Monday, February 25, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "Reporting on the Rappahannock," with Lawrence Latané III. Mr. Latané is a Westmoreland County resident who covers the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His talk will focus on the river's effect on local culture. Reading Room, Viola H. Woolfolk Center.

Program Tuesday, February 26, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "Music From East Africa," a performance by dancer, singer, drummer and storyteller Daniel "Ssuuna" Stanley. Mr. Stanley will bring the culture of his native Uganda to life in this multifaceted program. Ball Memorial Gymnasium.

Program Wednesday, February 27, 2002, 6:30 p.m. - "African-American History Notes," featuring teacher and author Vivian Owens. Ms. Owens, an award-winning writer, will discuss her latest book, The Mount Dorans: African-American History Notes of a Florida Town. Reading Room, Viola H. Woolfolk Center.

The evening lecture series is part of St. Margaret's "Minimester," a two-week period that gives girls the opportunity to explore a wide variety of enrichment activities. This year's Minimester courses include Southern culture, legal issues, the history of jazz, oil painting and medical ethics.

For more information, contact Tobey Taliaferro at (804) 443-3357.



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