MONTICELLO — Seven Sullivan County residents officially became United States citizens Wednesday afternoon during a naturalization ceremony at the Sullivan County Courthouse, taking the Oath of Allegiance before family, friends and local officials.
Hosted by the Sullivan County Clerk's Office, the ceremony included the presentation of citizenship certificates, remarks from Judge E. Danielle Jose-Decker, state Sen. Peter Oberacker, Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay and Assemblyman Christian Barranco, and performances of the national anthem and God Bless America by Forestburgh Playhouse owner Franklin Trapp.
Addressing the new citizens, Jose-Decker said American citizenship carries both significant rights and important responsibilities. She encouraged the new citizens to participate in civic life by voting, serving on juries and contributing to their communities, while emphasizing that becoming an American does not require abandoning the culture, language or traditions of their birth countries.
The seven new citizens represented countries across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, each arriving in Sullivan County by a different path.
Among them was Daniela Hernandez of Rock Hill, who was born in Colombia before living in Mexico for two years and moving to the United States at age 9. She said adjusting to new schools, languages and cultures was difficult at first, but became much easier once she learned English.
Now employed by SERVPRO, Hernandez helps restore homes damaged by fires, floods and other disasters.
"I love being able to help people after a situation like that," Hernandez said. "Nobody wants to lose their home."
As she accepted her certificate of citizenship, Hernandez carried her young son, who had become restless during the ceremony, while family members looked on.
The journeys of the other new citizens were equally varied.
Ronald Schenkius, originally from the Netherlands and now living in Monticello, said his wife and his work brought him to the United States. He has lived in the country since 2000 and began pursuing citizenship last November.
Richard Alley came from England roughly 10 years ago for what was intended to be a one-year work assignment. Now a resident of Glen Spey, he said he decided to make the United States his home.
Choy Daley, originally from Jamaica and now living in Bloomingburg, said family and work brought him to New York.
Denisse Munoz, who came from Ecuador and now lives in Kiamesha Lake, and Ilsia Carias, originally from El Salvador and now living in Monticello, each said they completed the naturalization process in about eight months.
Rohini Patel, originally from India and now living in Swan Lake, said she began pursuing citizenship last November.
Following the ceremony, each of the seven new citizens received a proclamation from the Sullivan County Clerk's Office before posing for photographs with family members and officials.
Outside the courtroom, representatives from the Sullivan County Board of Elections were available to register the new citizens to vote. The commissioners said they hope to attend future naturalization ceremonies more regularly, giving the nation's newest citizens an opportunity to take one of their first civic steps immediately after taking the Oath of Allegiance.