Alter High School near Dayton, Ohio hosted a Naturalization Ceremony Thursday, February 6, 2025, where 24 new citizens from 18 different countries took the Oath to become an American. High school students were able to watch the ceremony live in their gymnasium. 

Before the ceremony, United States District Judge Michael J. Newman, United States Magistrate Judges Peter B. Silvain, Jr. and Caroline H. Gentry, Montgomery County Juvenile Judge Helen Wallace and representatives from the United States Attorney Office and FBI spoke to students in classrooms about their career path and experiences.

Alter High School Principal Lourdes Lambert spoke about her family moving to America from Cuba and said witnessing a naturalization ceremony was an important one for her students.

“When else do you get to see the love and passion people have for our Country?” Lambert said. “And here, truly the amazing responsibility it is to be an American citizen is laid out for you. And it’s a wonderful reminder for all of students.”