BCAT News

Burlington Girl Scouts Meghna Dinesh and Gwyneth McNamee, both 14, were before the Burlington Select Board Monday asking the town to support their plans for a multicultural festival, planned for this summer with a to-be-determined date. 

The festival is Dinesh and McNamee’s Silver Award project. The Girl Scout Silver Award is among the organization’s highest awards, and is earned by researching an issue, making a plan to address it, and taking action to improve their communities. 

“To earn our Sliver Awards, we anticipate hosting a culture night at Simonds Park,” Dinesh told the Select Board. “We hope that this event will broaden individuals’ outlook on how many different cultures are represented in our community.” 

Dinesh and McNamee said they’ve reached out to 30 local organizations and community groups representing 22 cultures or countries. They are looking for community members to set up tables or booths to display anything from their culture as a whole, a special holiday or tradition, a dance, or another cultural practice. 

McNamee said despite their outreach, they have had little response and are hoping the Select Board can help get the word out. 

“While we are trying not to get discouraged, we are hoping the Select Board will support our efforts.” she said. 

Select Board members commended the Scouts for their ambitious project and said they would think about ways to support the event.

“You have chosen to do something that is not just something that would benefit the community, but that is a truly large and ambitious endeavor, which is not something we always see, and it’s fantastic,” said Select Board Member Nick Priest.