Welcome: Northport High School site of naturalization ceremony for 75 new citizens

A naturalization ceremony at Northport High School this past Friday, February 14, saw 75 candidates from 31 countries take the Oath of Allegiance and become United States citizens. The last naturalization ceremony at Northport High School occurred in February 2001; Friday’s ceremony – along with a similar event at Mineola High School on February 12 – marked the first time in over 20 years that a naturalization ceremony was held at a public school on Long Island.

The event was hosted by “The Honorable Robert A. Katzmann Justice for All: Courts and the Community Initiative,” the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Included in the audience were the 75 candidates, their family members and friends, as well as high school social studies students there to witness the ceremony. 

Judge James M. Wicks, United States Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of New York, and master of ceremonies, took to the podium after a bagpipe processional by Gary Connors. 

“It’s a privilege to host this important ceremony at your school today and we thank you for letting us do it here,” Wicks said, noting that most naturalization ceremonies take place in federal courthouses. He thanked Northport-East Northport Superintendent of Schools Dave Moyer and Northport High School Principal Robert Dennis for making Friday’s ceremony possible. 

Posters made by high school students, stating “Welcome new citizens” and “Congrats on your USA citizenship” decorated the commons area, near the auditorium where the ceremony took place. A presentation of the colors was performed by members of the Northport American Legion to mark the significance of the event, while the Northport High School choir sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Members of the high school’s symphonic winds, orchestra and string quartet added to the majesty of the event. 

In his intentionally brief welcome address, Superintendent Moyer emphasized that the day was not about him, but those in the audience about to become US citizens. “This is the most special and meaningful welcome that I've ever been privileged to be a part of,” he said. “On behalf of the Northport-East Northport school district and board of education, please accept my congratulations on this special day.”

Judge Wicks then administered the Oath of Allegiance – a tradition that has led to American citizenship for more than 220 years – to the 75 candidates, including Canadian-born Kiyolena Borch, a French teacher at the high school. “Every time someone raises their hand and takes that oath, we get stronger as a country,” Wicks said. 

High school students handed an American flag to each new citizen. 

The Honorable Joseph F. Bianco, US Circuit Judge, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, delivered a keynote address after the Oath of Allegiance. “Today is a very special day, a big day and a monumental day,” he said, acknowledging the time and effort it took for each new citizen to earn that status. 

“We are all truly delighted as a school, as a community here on Long Island, and as a nation to welcome you today as citizens of the United States of America,” he said. 

“Now I know you hold close to your hearts, you should always hold close to your hearts, your native land, its people, its customs, its culture, its traditions. Music, language, food – that is an extremely important part of who you are deep in your soul and that’s something you never lose, no matter what. Don’t worry, you're not losing that today. Today you are just adding something amazing and life changing.  

“My friends, as you sit there, you are now an American. And the United States of America is, by virtue of the oath that you just raised your hand and swore to, as much your country as it is our country. Don't ever forget that. Don’t let anyone out there ever tell you otherwise. As of this day, your citizenship stands equal to that of every single other American. Today this country embraces you and this country bestows upon you all of the freedoms and the protections and the guarantees of our United States Constitution and the laws of the United States of America.”