EXETER, N.H. — Twenty-nine people from 18 countries became naturalized US citizens during a ceremony Friday at Exeter High School, where a federal judge shared an inspiring message wrapped in a piece of lesser-known local history from the American Revolution.

Judge Landya B. McCafferty, who presided over the ceremony, noted that New Hampshire enacted the first state constitution in January 1776 to establish a new democratic form of government, with its capital in Exeter, six months before the nation’s Declaration of Independence.

The royal governor had fled New Hampshire in 1775 as tensions rose and civil government collapsed, so a group of revolutionaries met in Exeter and drafted a constitution that sought to protect “the honest people of this colony” from being subjected to “the machinations and evil designs of wicked men.”

This temporary document — which remained in effect for eight years — accomplished “two radical things,” McCafferty said. First, it asserted New Hampshire’s independence. Second, it laid out a vision of democratic governance.

“Power in a monarchy flows downward, theoretically from God down to the king, down to the people,” McCafferty said. “This temporary constitution proposed a government that flowed up from the people to their representatives. And there was no king. The power came from the people.”

While many colonists who remained loyal to the monarchy regarded New Hampshire’s first constitution as treasonous at the time, McCafferty said, the document survived the Revolutionary War and came to inspire other state constitutions and the US Constitution that took effect in 1789.

“New Hampshire’s example of self-government persuaded other Americans that self-government, government by the people, could work,” she said.

With that history lesson in mind, McCafferty encouraged the 29 new citizens to commit themselves to productive civic engagement, by making informed decisions at the ballot box, serving as jurors with pride, and supporting their neighbors, whether by volunteering in the local community, raising children to be good citizens themselves, running for public office, or working in law enforcement or for the US military.

“We will be a better country because of you,” she said.

The milestone also delivered a sense of relief to those who began pursuing citizenship years ago, before the current Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration.

“I was a little bit worried in the beginning,” said Maria Caroline Bertocchi of Milford, N.H., a native of Brazil who embarked on the naturalization process in 2021. “But now I’m totally relaxed.”

Bertocchi, 28, attended the ceremony with her husband, two children, and an entourage of in-laws celebrating the occasion.

“I feel like, ‘Oh my God, finally this process is over, and I can stay here with them,’” she said. “For me it means a lot.”

Randerson Michel Caracas Soares, who is also from Brazil and living in Milford, attended the ceremony with his husband and said he is grateful to reach the conclusion of a journey they began about four years ago.

“I feel like I have more freedom right now,” he said. “I can find better jobs here, opportunities. … We picked the United States because it’s the best country in the world.”

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Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.

Hersheypark in Pennsylvaniacould be forced to close this summer amid a dispute between the site’s operators and union employees, according to a report. ​

The amusement park is scheduled to open seven days a week starting May 21 in a shift from its weekend-only operation before the summer, despite a looming vote among employees about whether to go on strike. ​

Over 200 union maintenance employees at Hersheypark, The Hotel Hershey and Giant Center rejected a contract offer from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts on May 7, according to Inside the Magic. The park’s operators described the proposal as their “last, best and final” offer.​

Over a three-day period this week, employees will vote on whether to strike after rejecting the offer, which is the third from the park’s operators. A strike could close the park just in time for the start of the busy summer season when families head on vacation.

​The list of employees considering going on strike includes ride mechanics, electricians, plumbers, welders, painters, machinists, utilities technicians, carpenters, garage auto mechanics and sign artists. ​

In mid-March, the union and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts agreed to extend a former contract for 60 days to allow for continued negotiations. ​

According to Inside the Magic, union workers are seeking fair wage increases, more affordable care plans and higher pay premiums for less-desirable shifts. The union has also said that it will reject new contract offers that lower professional standards, devalue skilled trades or open the door to lower wages in maintenance roles in the future. ​

The Independent has contacted Hershey Entertainment & Resorts for comment about the possible strike.

Hersheypark, located 15 miles east of Harrisburg, is the largest amusement park in Pennsylvania. Founded in 1906, the 121-acre site boasts more than 70 rides, a water park with 17 water attractions and an 11-acre North American Wildlife Park, according to Hersheypark’s website. ​

It’s named for and themed in conjunction with the popular candy company.

However, a different park in the Keystone State was named as the top amusement park in the U.S. on TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best list. ​

It was Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, 42 miles north-northeast of Harrisburg, that topped the list. In doing so, the little-known park was ranked higher than Dollywood, Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure that also made the top 5. ​

“It’s got it all: roller coasters, kid-friendly rides (bumper cars, a haunted mansion), swimming, camping, a mining museum, and even a championship 18-hole golf course,” TripAdvisor wrote. “The accommodating staff, clean facilities, and fun attractions make for a memorable family-friendly visit.”​

Knoebels is the U.S.’s largest free-admission park, although tickets for individual rides cost a fee. ​