Staff Writer

The auditorium came alive with the sound of traditional Andean flutes and percussion instruments as nearly 200 students gathered to celebrate a program designed to strengthen their Spanish skills.

Seventh- and eighth-grade Spanish students from Biddeford Middle School and the Middle School of the Kennebunks participating in an interscholastic pen pal program converged on Biddeford’s Performing Arts Center last week for a special music performance and luncheon.

For the past four years, Spanish students from the two middle schools have participated in a pen pal program. The students exchange letters written in Spanish that include descriptions of family, school, sports and other pastimes, according to BMS Spanish teacher Tom Sferes. 

The project culminates with a celebration hosted by one school. Participants took part in a workshop and performance by Andean music ensemble Inkawasi, followed by a lunch of gazpacho, tortas de patatas and  homemade churros.

This year, 120 Biddeford students and 77 Kennebunk students participated in the program with assistance from teachers  – Sferes and Elizabeth Brazier at BMS and Ellen McEnaney and Dorothy Gradford from MSK.

Sferes and MSK teacher Sally Wakeland started the program to give students a “real world” application for Spanish skills learned in class. An added benefit was “the motivation this exchange provided for the students to write in the target language,” Sferes said.

“This pen pal project provides extraordinary motivation for students to try their best in telling about themselves in Spanish,” he said. “Students are writing for a purpose, not for a rote assignment.”

McEnaney said students practice Spanish reading and writing skills while corresponding with pen pals, but the learning doesn’t stop there.

“Additionally, they got some exposure to Latin American culture through the Peruvian presenters, learning about geography, food, music, religion and sports,” she said.

Students began their celebration with a workshop put on by Inkawasi, a group that has traveled throughout the United States, Peru, Colombia, Spain, France and Germany. Director Sergio Espinoza shared information about Peruvian culture, sports, money, religion and food. The Peruvian native described the three regions of the country – coast, mountains and jungles – and told anecdotes about Incan culture. 

Three tables draped in colorful tapestries displayed Peruvian toys, instruments and other artifacts. After Espinoza’s presentation, students converged on the tables to examine handmade dolls, toys, flutes and drums. One table featured the skin of a baby anaconda, preserved butterflies and other natural artifacts. Students also modeled traditional hats worn in different regions of the country.

Matthew Upham, an eighth grader from Kennebunk, said he enjoyed checking out the items Espinoza brought for the students to peruse. He said he also enjoyed learning what Biddeford students studied in class and was looking forward to meeting his pen pal.

Carinn Burns, another Kennebunk eighth grader, said she had to learn new words and phrases to use in her letters.

“I thought it was really fun to get to know someone and use a different language,” she said.

While the students benefit from the program by improving skills, the teachers involved said they also benefit from the experience.

“It’s always nice for teachers to have an opportunity to come together and share resources and opportunities with each other’s students,” McEnaney said. “Our goals to teach kids about other perspectives and create internationally minded citizens can sometimes be overwhelming, but sharing the effort creates something that works for everyone.”

Following the workshop, additional Biddeford classes joined the students for an hour-long performance by Inkawasi sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Organization.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.