The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio hosted a naturalization ceremony for the second straight year at Lakota East High School.

More than 75 petitioners from 35 counties became citizens during the ceremony which was held in front of the student body. 

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio hosts several remote naturalizations ceremonies at local schools throughout the year to share with students some of the roles of the judiciary.

Before the main ceremony, a student received his citizenship certificate after taking a private oath in front of just of his classmates. The student became eligible to receive his certificate after his parents were naturalized but had to also take an oath as he is over the age of 16.

During the pre-ceremony, United States Immigration Services Officer Zlatan Hadzic spoke about his family’s journey to America. Hadzic’s family came to the United States from Bosnia when he was a child and spoke to the students about how fortunate he felt to be an American.

He encouraged them to take advantage of every opportunity they have.

The naturalization ceremony received news coverage. The article can be read here.