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    Cyndy Jean, CMHS seventh-grader Arden Klaud and Steve Schuch pose in front of an exhibit at The Park Theatre following the MLK Day program. In Klaud’s painting of two girls on an amber field, based on the theme song, “America the Dream,” the Black girl’s dress resembles the “puffy pink dress” seen in the photo Jean shared of her naturalization day.
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    Cyndy Jean’s daughter Zadie follows the words to “America the Dream” in the program guide to candlelight while her uncle, Matthew Jean of Rindge, looks on.
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    Megan Newton interprets the words of President Lyndon Johnson upon signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
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    Scarlett Castiglioni takes a turn singing a solo part in the MLK Ensemble’s performance of “This Little Light of Mine” under the direction of Steve Schuch, far left.
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    Cyndy Jean talks about the influence the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ideas and work had on her and her family as immigrants. Four generations of the Jean family attended the MLK Day event.

The Jaffrey-Rindge community gathering celebrating the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15 at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey celebrated “America the Dream” and commemorated the 60-year anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

Hancock composer Steve Schuch performed his song “America the Dream,”  a re-imagining of “America the Beautiful.” Conant students Megan Newton and Scarlett Castiglioni presented their interpretation of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s speech on signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, recalling the struggle for basic civil rights led by King and the achievement of the legislation.  

Cyndy Jean, associate head of the Hackley School in Tarrytown, N.Y., revisited growing up in Rindge as an immigrant from Haiti, her excitement at achieving citizenship and the influence of King’s vision on her family. Four generations of the Jean family attended the ceremony.  

The audience joined in a performance of “This Little Light of Mine” led by Schuch and the intergenerational MLK Day Ensemble and heard First Church of Jaffrey choristers’ “Circle Round for Freedom” under the direction of First Church Minister of Music Gene Faxon.  

The event culminated in the audience singing “America the Dream” by candlelight accompanied by a slide show of art on the theme by Conant middle and high school students. 

Now in its 10th year, the Jaffrey-Rindge MLK Committee seeks to bring people together to celebrate and renew shared positive values that lift the spirit, enrich understanding of shared human experience and renew a positive outlook to make people’s lives better locally and beyond.  New members are welcome; Jaffrey or Rindge residence is not required. Contact jaffreyrindgemlk@gmail.com and visit MLK Celebration Jaffrey-Rindge on Facebook.