Grant benefits French class's pen pal project

GOSHEN — The C.J. Hooker Middle School in Goshen received a grant to support the program “My World in French: A Cultural Photo Exhibit.”

French teacher Fabien Rivière secured the grant through the Target Community Foundation. The objective of "My World" is to bring a distinctive cultural experience to the community with photographs, music, folklore, art, food and written correspondences between American, French, and Beninese students.

Students will be in charge of organizing and planning the two-day event under Rivière's supervision. The photo exhibit will be open to the public.

Since 2008, seventh-grade students at the C.J. Hooker have had pen pals in a French-speaking part of the world. The school has partnered with Collège Aliénor d'Aquitaine in France and Collège d'Anantanda in Benin, Africa. Correspondence consists of exchanging letters, cards and conference calls throughout the year. Students learn the basics of the French language along with the culture of the country.

Rivière says those exchanges have been tremendously enriching to students.

The schools in Africa and France received funding to set up a photo exhibit for the local community. The middle school will use the grant funding to create a similar exhibit during the 2013-14 school year.

“We are already so very grateful to the selection members for considering our school and program for this grant,” said Rivière. “We trust that it will be a wonderful opportunity for our students and community.”