University hosts citizenship ceremony

FINDLAY — Around 70 individuals were sworn in as American citizens on Wednesday during a Naturalization Ceremony at the University of Findlay. Representing 38 different countries, individuals took an oath and received their certificates of citizenship. U.S. District Court Judge for the Northwest District of Ohio James Knepp, presided over the ceremony and delivered the Oath of Allegiance. "I am honored to my core that you all have allowed me to be among the first to welcome you as citizens to the United States," said Knepp. "To my new fellow citizens, each of you by your hard work has earned your citizenship and you share that with each other, but you share something else with all citizens, we are literally a nation of immigrants. Like our founding fathers, all of our families, from the signers of the Declaration of Independence to us gathered here today, we came to America for a better life." Students from different Hancock County schools participated in the event, delivering speeches and performing musical pieces. The Van Buren High School band performed "New Places" by D.I.D. Choi during the prelude and "Burnished Brass" by John Cacavas during the postlude. The University of Findlay's F.S. Key singers led the audience in "The National Anthem." The ceremony included speeches by the following students; Findlay High School junior Lucas Parnell on the benefits of citizenship, Riverdale High School senior Marcus Rothlisberger on the rights of citizenship, and Riverdale High School senior Hanna Gerschutz on the responsibilities of citizenship. Parnell encouraged the new citizens to explore the benefits of their citizenship. "Being a United States Citizen is a unique honor that carries with it a profound sense of liberty, dedication, and ingenuity. Such values lie at the very core of what it means to be an American," said Parnell. "The status of a United States Citizen is not something to be taken lightly, but you know this better than most. Your handwork, dedication, and perseverance in getting to this point, is a testament to the type of people that you are. Now, embrace your role in American democracy using your unique abilities and skill sets as only you can."