Bluff Creek is a prairie town of less than 2000 people. During the period of this study, the families of 20% of the children in its schools were Lao from families who immigrated to the United States in the 1980's, following the Vietnam War. The families of a majority of European-heritage children in the schools were Mennonites whose forebears had emigrated from Russia to the United States in the 1870s. The town was known locally for its successful integration of newcomers in its schools. The authors suggest aspects of the cultural identities and historic experiences of lowland Lao and German Mennonites have led to relatively successful educational and interpersonal relationships in Bluff Creek. They add that both cultures are marginalized in the United States, which brings the two cultures together.