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19 sworn in as US citizens
An advocate for special needs children, Viktoriya S. Hart hopes her newly obtained U.S. citizenship will open opportunities for her to continue her advocacy work on a larger scale.
Hart, a former Russian national, has been on Saipan for 13 years. Through her new citizenship, Hart hopes to work with the federal government and continue her advocacy for special needs children.
The first thing on Hart’s list is to take her family on a trip to Europe, something she has always wanted to do.
Business-owner Miguel Cruz, who has been on Saipan for 40 years, said he will celebrate his citizenship during today’s Liberation Day parade.
Aside from Hart and Cruz, others who also took the oath of citizenship yesterday at the U.S, District Court for the NMI were Yolanda Bajado, Consuelo Bernardo, Gil Bernasol, Elizabeth Camacho, Eun Mi Ka Cepeda, Larcy Chariton, Elvira Dela Cruz, Beatrix Doyle, Amir Hossain, Lenie Laxamana, Beniel Lontoc, Ricardo Mercelino, Sherwin Pasillos, Marissa Quichocho, Sunshine Salas, Rosalina Salas, and Andrea Taga.
The newly naturalized citizens came from Bangladesh, Russia, the Philippines, and South Korea.
The oath was administered by District Court Judge Ramona Manglona; the guest speaker was National Parks Service superintendent Barbara Alberti.
Alberti explained in her speech how the National Parks Service ties with citizenship. She said that the National Park Service preserves the history of the United States that ultimately explains what U.S. citizenship is and the honor that it comes with.
