The Riviera Ridge School Celebrates Dr. King

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rebecca Horrigan, (805-569-1811 x235)

rhorrigan@rivieraridge.org

The Riviera Ridge School Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Arlington

Santa Barbara, CA. (January 2024) –  The Riviera Ridge School is taking an active role in the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Santa Barbara’s 17th annual program honoring Dr. King on Monday at the Arlington Theater. Local singer and Riviera Ridge’s Director of Performing and Visual Arts, Miriam Dance, attended the festivities last year and decided she wanted to get involved. She joined the Board and packed this year’s event with music, poetry, and inspiration. From the Riviera Ridge School’s third through fifth-grade choirs singing songs that reflect Dr. King’s philosophy to a performance from the Inner Light Gospel Choir, directed by Riviera Ridge’s Music Director, Dauri Kennedy, the celebration is sure to be full of spirit.

“It was my first time going last year, and I was surprised to see how many of our students at the school were involved,” Dance said. “This year, I was thrilled to be able to take the lead on the program at Arlington, so I get to use my directorial and organizational skills to support this community event.”

As part of their Kaleidoscope Program, which explores Service Learning, Ethical Leadership, and the Philosophy and Understanding of World Religions. Riviera Ridge students have been involved with the annual Arlington celebration since 2020.

“Inviting students to create art in response to their understanding of Dr. King’s philosophy and actions is a beautiful way for them to internalize his teachings and discover what it means for them in their lives,” Riviera Ridge’s JK-8th Grade Kaleidoscope Specialist, Kari Eiler, said.

Students have consistently received recognition for their entries into the MLKSB Foundation’s Poetry and Essay Award Celebration. Five students will read their original poems honoring Dr. King at the event this year.

“As a school, we care about the philosophy of Dr. King, which emphasizes helping others and being inclusive,” Dance said. “We’re trying to live out that part of the dream, and that’s what we want to show.”

In addition to the student program, Spoken Word and Poetry Artist-in-Residence and Riviera Ridge administrative team member Tayllor Johnson will perform an original work she created in honor of Dr. King.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with a morning program at De La Guerra Plaza, followed by a Unity March, which will lead into Arlington’s program, which begins at 11:00 a.m.

“I’m thrilled to get to sing a few of Dr. King’s favorite songs with the Inner Light Gospel Choir, to get to hear our youth share what Dr. King’s legacy means to them and to inspire our community to follow in his footsteps, and to lift each other up,” Dance said.