‘Celebrating Lewiston’ event debuts at Mike McGraw Park in Lewiston

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Somali group Dhaanto perform a traditional Somali dance Saturday at the end of the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council’s ‘Celebrating Lewiston’ event at Mike McGraw Park. From left to right, in blue, Shukri Said, Muna Ali and Halima Ahmed. In brown, Hawa Said, Najmo Ahmed and Nasro Yusuf. Andrée Kehn/Sun Journal

LEWISTON — At the grand opening of “Celebrating Lewiston” on Saturday, Lewiston City Council, the Lewiston Public Library and others greeted visitors with souvenirs and information about upcoming events at Mike McGraw Park.

Organized by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council (LYAC), the event highlights the efforts of young people in Lewiston to show what the town has to offer and to recognize the 10 council members who graduated from high school this year.

“We really wanted to celebrate everything Lewiston has to offer that other cities (don’t). We wanted to sum up what Lewiston is all about. (The council) said, “Let’s get some businesses together and show what Lewiston has to offer,” said Kiera Potvin, a council member since her sophomore year of high school.

“Lewiston is a diverse community for me. I will miss the diversity offered in this community and the sense of family,” said Potvin, who will be attending Hobart and William Smith colleges in the fall.

At a table adorned with brochures and frisbees emblazoned with the city logo “Lewiston, ME”, three members of the Lewiston City Council spoke highly of the work done by the LYAC in organizing the event and answering questions from attendees.

“I’m impressed at every meeting, every day,” said Linda M. Scott, City Council Member and LYAC Councilor. She listed some of the events LYAC has organized over the years: an event on food insecurity with St. Mary’s Food Pantry, an anti-bullying campaign with elementary school students, and a short film on driving while driving. drunk.

“I just sit there and listen to them. They come up with all the ideas. I gave them some story points. They think I’m a history encyclopedia for Lewiston, but I’m like, “I’m just old.” They’re pretty amazing,” Scott said.

GG Guhat sings “You’re Beautiful” at the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council’s “Celebrating Lewiston” event Saturday at Mike McGraw Park. GG Guhat is a student at Lewiston High School. Andrée Kehn/Sun Journal

According to Scott, about half of LYAC seniors graduated at the top of their class. In addition to their academics, their hometown pride is unmatched.

“What I like about them is that they are really positive. When I think about Lewiston and the city’s image, part of the problem we’ve had is ourselves, people of our generation talking badly about the city. (LYAC members) really love Lewiston. They have to help us change the paradigm,” said a council volunteer.

Auburn Savings Bank was announced as a sponsor of Mike McGraw Park when the sign was unveiled, while firefighters from the Lewiston Fire Department arrived on Engine No. 7, interacting with attendees and their children to the sound of a musical performance by GG Guhat.

“The Lewiston Youth Advisory Council is a model of student civic engagement and I am honored to be part of today’s event,” said Mayor Carl L. Sheline. “Lewiston quite possibly has the youngest average age in the state, and I’m proud of our students serving on the youth council. ”

Hannah Arsenault, left, takes a yoga class from Jossyln Jalbert during the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council’s ‘Celebrating Lewiston’ event Saturday at Mike McGraw Park. Andrée Kehn/Sun Journal


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