DIXFIELD — Dirigo High School’s 300-plus students hooted, hollered and clapped as several staff members climbed down from the bleachers to take their place alongside a bunch of African drums and bells to follow the musical lead of special guest, Michael Wingfield.

Principal Michael Poulin and Assistant Principal Chris Moreau were among them.

“It’s been a very smooth day,” Poulin said before being drafted to play the drums. Norm Greenberg does a fantastic job.”

The drum-playing and dancing, along with an enthusiastic speech by Wingfield, a Portland-based musician who speaks about the spirit and history of Africa as well as about diversity, was the closing presentation for the school’s fifth Diversity Day.

Dozens of presenters from around the state exposed students to a variety of social and cultural aspects, ranging from Buddhism and vegetarianism, to what it feels like to be disabled, aging, or gay, or how living in other countries is the same and different from living in rural Maine.

Alta Goding, a senior, said she was surprised at how many people in Maine are homeless.

“Diversity Day is the best. I love learning about the different cultures,” she said.

Larissa Bryant, also a senior, said she particularly liked the keynote speaker, Nicole Manganelli, director of the Unity Project.

“She spoke about bullying and the suicide that sometimes happens because of it. It made me think about what goes on in our school. How it’s not right to joke about racism,” she said.

Brent Young, also a senior, said Diversity Day brings all students closer together.

His favorite workshop focused on healthy relationships.

“It let us get to know each other better,” he said. “And it was a lot of fun.”

Diversity Day is senior Neriha Bautista’s favorite day of the year.

“We learn that there’s more than just our small town. There’s open opportunities to be able to reach out,” she said.

Learning that there are many different cultures and ways of living is a major goal of the annual event.

Greenberg, the organizer and learning lab coordinator, said next year may include another Diversity Day, or rotate with one on careers or the environment.