Darton celebrates Constitution Day

ALBANY — Darton College celebrated Constitution Day on Thursday by presenting a play depicting a re-enactment of the signing of the Constitution called “One Philadelphia Summer, A Republic to Defend.”

The play was written by staff at Darton utilizing factual material, quoted material from the founding fathers and other historical data.

For the second straight year, Darton has celebrated Constitution Day with this play and a guest speaker. In addition, the campus is adorned with flags along Gillionville Road and along the promenade in the center of campus in celebration of the activities.

“Constitution Day, perhaps more so than the Fourth of July, is a holiday to be celebrated,” Day coordinator Tina Burney said. “When one knows that while we had declared our independence to Britain and the world, it took over a decade more of fighting and hardship to secure that liberty and independence.”

Burney added, “It is one thing to declare with strong intention your purpose of being free and to secure your Liberty from tyranny and oppressors; it is wholly another to finally have defended it and to secure its longevity for all future generations.”

The play’s cast included Shea Dominey, Bridgettte Hylick, Donna Wade, Erin Baty, Royce Green, Maribel Martin, Ashley Corbin, Joseph Jones, LeShanda King, Helen Chancey, Christian Kirby, Malena Brooks, Ashley Miller, Mason Fryerson, Daniel Norman, and Alma Garcia. Directors were Erin Baty and Tina Burney with lighting by Allison Stephenson.

The celebration will culminate Friday at 12:05 p.m. as Ret. Lt. Col. Dan Hammack will speak in the J Bldg Theater.