Niskayuna Naturalization Ceremony

By: Maddy Ehrlich 

The sound of clapping echoed across the auditorium as students, faculty, and community members joined together to create an orchestra of applause. On the stage's center was the projection of a student’s drawing. The picture was a path paved in the colors of the American flag, the road leading up to the statue of liberty. This painting was just a 2D image, but the red, white and blue path of the drawing extended well beyond the paper. It was a path that stretched past the stage, into the audience, and outside of Niskayuna High School’s doors. It was a path that transcended borders into twenty three countries; into Bangladesh, Germany, Japan, and so many more all over the globe. This path was one that for years, twenty-nine different people walked upon. The path to America has no one route, coming in varying forms. Each person is unique in their own way, and everyone’s journey to America is different. For those who are born in America, it is simple, a given component of someone’s life that is oftentimes taken for granted. But, for those who are born elsewhere and look to America as a seemingly impossible dream, a future that they hope to live, citizenship into the country is a beacon of promise and hope. For so many immigrants, the cumulation of their struggles, dedication and commitment to fulfilling the American dream leads them onto the path to America, which finalizes at their Naturalization Ceremony. 

On May 2nd, for the first time, Niskayuna High School had the honor of welcoming twenty-nine new citizens into America through hosting a Naturalization Ceremony. While the path to citizenship is fulfilled through Naturalization, the road never ends. Each of these new citizens join the millions of other people who live in America. They shape the country with their diverse perspectives, ideas and contributions that allow the U.S. to be the country it is. America is defined by the intersection of pathways that come together to create a country that extends beyond differences. Naturalization Ceremonies are at the heart of this journey.

On that day, 2nd block classes filed into the auditorium to watch the Naturalization Ceremony. While classes were commencing, throughout the morning, soon to be citizens and their families arrived at Niskayuna High School. While students walk through the doors each morning, possibly dreading upcoming tests or homework, these participants entered with anticipation and excitement. For them, walking through the high school doors was the final step in a long process. To become a U.S. citizen is not an easy task. It is a multi-year process that includes taking classes, passing civics tests, understanding the Constitution, adapting to a new country’s society, and taking the oath of allegiance. It is a huge accomplishment, one that the entire community comes to celebrate. 

In addition to students attending the ceremony, Judge Dan Stewart, Congressman Paul Tonko, Homeland Security member Gwen Dynalflo, NY State Representative Phil Steck, as well as other prominent community members attended. Despite these important appearances though, student participation was at an all time high. Student involvement offered a unique opportunity for Niskayuna’s young adults to support these future citizens. The student chorus opened the ceremony with the recitation of The Star Spangled Banner, and also closed the reception with their performance of songs such as My Country ‘Tis Of Thee, and America The Beautiful. Additionally, Class of 2025 president Caleb Coppola led the audience in the pledge of allegiance, while student Sofia Petrushenko delivered a speech of her own about her journey to America, and what citizenship means to her. Students are the future of this country. By participating in this Naturalization Ceremony, Niskayuana students were not only partaking in a long standing tradition that is an essential part of America’s history, but were paving the path to the future through acceptance and inclusion. 

Hosting the event at a high school has significance another building could not offer. It ties the community together, transforming this space of education into a place where students could learn beyond the classroom by witnessing a historic proceeding. As Congressman Tonko said, every one of us are connected to immigrants. Tonko’s grandparents were immigrants, and America’s roots are tied to immigration. It is important to embrace America’s ancestors who were immigrants, and remember this long history of immigration. On May 2nd, students remembered what America stands for, standing side by side with their fellow citizens to continue this American tradition. 

While interviewing Judge Dan Stewart, the presiding judge over the event, he was able to share more about the ceremony and its importance. As he explained, a Naturalization Ceremony is technically just a legal proceeding. It is an event that depends on having a judge present and is recognised as a federal legal event. Citizenship is a long process that extends throughout several years. It culminates at the end with the the oath of citizenship, which participants are instructed to repeat at their Naturalization Ceremony. There is a motion by the government to grant their status as new citizens, and as the Magistrate Judge, Judge Stewart accepts that motion, allowing this Naturalization Ceremony to occur. As five people did May 2nd, sometimes participants change their names when they become citizens. For those people who change their names, and also the ones who keep their current names, they are starting over. Whether it's completely adapting a new persona, speaking a new language, or simply moving homes, their life is being altered. While citizenship could seem like a simple legal ceremony, to the participants, it means so much more. It is the acceptance into a new country, and even into a new name. Oftentimes our identity is tied to where we are from. By becoming American citizens, they are recreating who they hope to be, embracing this citizenship. 

Judge Stewart has been a Federal Magistrate Judge for ten years, officially since September of 2015. While there is no special training on how to run these ceremonies, the event is nothing like an everyday legal procedure. Instead of a judge deciding if someone should be detained or go to trial, it is an event defined by celebration and community. As Judge Stewart explained, “it's almost, you know, equivalent of a wedding…there's a lot of preparation that goes into it. And then for them taking the oath of citizenship, it reminds us all of how important it is to be a citizen.” He shared that the last ceremony he presided over was in Saranac Lake, and they had around 18 different countries represented. In some cases, participants didn’t have a home country. This is because their religious beliefs cause governments to not recognise them as citizens of the places they were born. So, becoming a U.S. citizen is their first time having a home country. On the other end of the spectrum, participants could have had a home country they were an integral part of. For example, one of Judge Stewart’s most interesting memories was when a member of the Jamaican Bobsled Team became a U.S. citizen. 

Judge Stewart finalized the interview by explaining how important the event is. Families are taking photos, sometimes participants are wearing a ceremonial outfit, and the event is a momentous occasion in a participant’s life. One of Judge Stewart's favorite parts is taking photos with the participants and having an impact on their life. As he explained, “it's kind of hard to explain how joyous the event is, but it really is something important and we love to do them at the schools because…there's a lot of enthusiasm at the high schools with regard to this.”

In his opening remarks, Mr. Mummenthey, Niskayuna’s superintendent, said that each participant has their “own stories, journeys, and dreams.” This fact couldn’t be better highlighted than when each participant’s names and previous country was called, and they rose to the stage to get their official certificate. Just as Niskayuna’s stage is the home to musical performances, plays, talent shows, and more, on May 2nd, it became the stepping stone into citizenship. Students and adults followed the same footsteps, coming on stage for a different purpose, but nevertheless, the same pathway. Similarly to how each morning Mr. Rickert gives morning announcements, his voice reaching the entire school, at the ceremony, he gave the closing remarks, once again speaking to the school, but with a different purpose. While it’s still Niskayuna High School, the same faculty members and students, the school was transformed into something beyond its regular purpose, an event that was defined by inclusion and enthusiasm. Thanks to the hard work from Mrs. Salvin, Mr. P., Mr. Rickert, Mr. Malizia, Mr. Bianchi, and so many others, the event was a wonderful success. Niskayuna High School became the “statue of liberty” for these citizens, who stepped onto the stage amongst the future generation of adults to become a citizen of America.