Naturalization Ceremony held in Plains Highschool on President Carter’s 100th birthday
Published 10:19 pm Wednesday, October 2, 2024
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A naturalization ceremony was held at the Plains Highschool on former President Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday, October 1rst.
Mayor of Plains, Joey Recker jr., made welcoming remarks. “We’re honored to have you as part of our nation, and we look forward to the contributions you will make in shaping our future. May you always cherish and uphold the values of freedom, democracy and equality that make this country so special. Congratulations to each and every one of you on this monumental achievement. Welcome to the United States of America.”
The United States Custom and Border Protection Honor Guard presented the colors. Arrisia Sims sang The Star-Spangled Banner.
Denise Yearby, Supervisory Immigration Services Officer, gave opening remarks. Denise M. Frazier, District Director, administered the oath of allegiance.
Participants gave their reactions to becoming new American Citizens. Anujna Sunil told what it was like experiencing the ceremony. “It was amazing. It’s been a long time coming. It was [a] very emotional moment.”
Sunil described the experience. “Watching the presentation and everyone around, I could just see there’s a lot of emotions in that room.
She told how long it took to become a citizen. “I came to the United States in 2009.”
Sunil told how she was able to gain citizenship with her Mom. “My Mom is in there right now, she also got naturalized today.”
She told how the rest of her family became citizens earlier. “My dad and my brother, they got naturalized just a few weeks ago.”
Olivia Fields, from the Bahamas, was also naturalized. She told what it was like becoming a citizen. “It’s amazing. [I] feel like I have gotten a special gift on Christmas.”
She told how long it took to become a citizen. “I counted as I was sitting there, and it took twelve years. And you know the funny thing is, I’m born in the 12th month.”
Fields talked about her inspiration. “My kids and my family.”
She told how her mom, dad, her sister, brother-in-law, her son, and nephew were all there with her.
Henry Tovar, originally from Columbia, told what it was like becoming a citizen. “It was my dream to become a American citizen, so I’m so happy for this opportunity that this Country gave to us.”
Tovar commented on the ceremony. “I wasn’t expecting so beautiful [a] ceremony like this one.” He told how it took almost ten years to become a citizen.
Leopold’s ice cream was on hand, providing free ice cream for the new citizens.
Lisa Simpson and Michelle Andrews with the Daughters of the American Revolution handed out book marks with the preamble to the American Constitution.
Sisters in Service of Southwest Georgia, the NAACP, the South Georgia Voter’s League, and Fair Count all worked to help the new citizens register to vote.
Bobby Fuse, working with the South Georgia Voter’s League, told about the organization’s aim. “South Georgia Voter’s League was established back in 2015 or so, and we work to increase civic participation and civic education. We’re a nonprofit organization. We operate in all the Counties South of Columbus, Macon, and Savannah.”
He talked about what led him to work with the organization. “Just a continuation of my life’s work. I started as a civil rights activist in 1965.” He told how it was “just a different step in what. . .I’ve been doing all my life. Education and civic participation.”