Contributor Review By Mark Pierzchala: Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park Dedicated in King Farm

>The following contributor review is by Rockville Central friend Mark Pierzchala, as are the photos. The City of Rockville press release was used for fact checking and correct spellings.

A celebrity-studded succession of speakers and a Rockville crowd of several hundred people dedicated Rockville’s Mattie J. T. Stepanek Park yesterday in King Farm. Mayor Susan R. Hoffmann led the proceedings. In addition to political figures headed by Representative Chris Van Hollen, there were speeches by Khaliah Ali (daughter of Mohammad Ali), composer/singer Nile Rodgers, and a surprise appearance by Oprah Winfrey. Mayor Hoffman welcomed the crowd and summarized the funding and development of the park. Later, she gave a recap of Mattie’s life and a touching introduction of Jeni Stepanek Mattie’s mother.

Several speakers noted how Mattie was able to overcome adversity and effectively advance his message of peace. In his 13 years Mattie was a remarkably prolific poet; his Heartsongs series made the N. Y. Times bestseller list.

Councilmember Anne Robbins read a letter from the family of President Jimmy Carter. Councilmember Piotr Gajewski, who lives in King Farm, noted his own family’s use of the park and its importance to the development. Councilmembers John Britton and Phyllis Marcuccio, the District 17 state delegation, members of the county council, the board of education, Mayor Will Roseman of Carlstadt, NJ, and Annie Kennedy of the Muscular Dystrophy Association also spoke. (Carlstadt, NJ is building its own peace park in honor of the young Stepanek’s work.)

Jeni Stepanek spoke about the meaning of Mattie’s life and recited some of his work. She spoke about Mattie’s belief that peace starts with the individual. It was a remarkably poised, poignant, and positive speech of hope.

Winfrey remembered Mattie’s appearance on her show and related how she and Mattie often communicated by phone and email afterwards. She noted how a house from across the park came up for sale allowing Mattie’s mother to move in, calling it a ‘God Wink’.

After the speeches, the crowd moved to the sculpture of Mattie Stepanek where there was a ribbon cutting ceremony and an unveiling of the artwork.

Music was an important part of the affair starting with the Montgomery County Pipes and Drum Band marching in the colors. The King Farm Chorus sang the world’s premier of “Look Up Way Down” (lyrics by Mattie Stepanek, set to music by Pepper Choplin). The rock band Creation sang “Stop Be Silent” (lyrics by Mattie Stepanek). A King Farm community gathering followed the dedication.

The hosts of the affair were the Mayor and Council of the City of Rockville, the Mattie J. T. Stepanek King Farm Foundation, Inc., and the King Farm Citizens Assembly, Inc.

Editor’s note: City council member Anne Robbins sent along this wonderful note later in the day: “What a day to honor a young man who had done so much in his 13 years on earth. A fine autumn day, much pagentry, and a mother who had lost much, but was now seeing Mattie’s peace ideas being spread around the world. And, at the end of the program, a surprise guest, OPRAH, who was a great friend of Mattie’s. She charmed everyone and was so natural signing autographs for everyone. WOW! It will be a long time before Rockville sees another occasion like this one.”

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