Student Helps Bring U.S. Naturalization Ceremony To West Orange

WEST ORANGE, NJ — West Orange saw its second United States Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization ceremony of 2018 earlier this month at West Orange High School.

Members of the WOHS Mountaineer Squadron organized their first-ever naturalization ceremony on Nov. 7, welcoming 34 new U.S. citizens to their new lives. The event comes fresh on the heels of a naturalization ceremony at Thomas Edison National Historical Park in October.

• See related article: Thomas Edison Park Welcomes 32 New US Citizens (PHOTOS)

According to West Orange district officials, senior cadet Angel Cordero was the primary cadet organizer of the event, which was held in conjunction with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

“The idea of coordinating the Naturalization Ceremony at the high school began with my stepfather, who works for USCIS,” said Cordero, who plans to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps after he graduates.

He said that his stepfather proposed the idea of having a ceremony at the high school congratulating soon-to-be U.S. citizens, a plan that he leaped at.

“I thought it was a great idea and a great opportunity to have the WOHS Jr. AFROTC and the high school student body participate, since these candidates are the backbone of the country we all live in,” Cordero said.

The event began with cadets holding an ROTC flag-folding ceremony in honor of Veterans Day. It proceeded with the cadets’ chosen speaker, Yamilee Chavez, who talked about the importance of the execution of the 13 folds of the flag.

A live demonstration of the appropriate technique followed with the aid of Cadets Christopher Vilcachagua, Gordon Schneider and Cordero.

Cadet Danielle Pereira sang the national anthem while the colors were presented. USCIS District Director John E. Thompson (Newark) presented the candidates for citizenship while USCIS Acting Assistant Director John E. Carrington (Newark) led the candidates in their Oath of Allegiance.

Additional guest speakers at the ceremony included Second Lt. Sean Han of the United States Air Force, DEA Supervisor Arthur Guedes and West Orange High School Principal Hayden Moore.

According to school officials, the new citizens originally hailed from the following countries:

• Benin (1 – Military)
• Brazil (1)
• China (1)
• Colombia (2)
• Dominican Republic (1)
• Ecuador (4)
• Ghana (2)
• Greece (1)
• Haiti (6)
• India (3)
• Iraq (1)
• Italy (1)
• Jamaica (2)
• Nigeria (1)
• Philippines (5)
• South Korea (2)

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Photos: West Orange Public Schools