Fourth-grade students from Upper Arlington City Schools handed out warm greeting cards they made congratulating new Americans who had just taken their citizenship oath.
The new citizens, who originated from countries around the world but decided to make America their home, often smiled and thanked the children for the cards. And when they stepped out of the Joseph P. Kinneary federal courtroom in downtown Columbus, they were greeted by even more children who in unison said “Congratulations” to them and their families.
The field trip, hosted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio and organized by teachers Angela Wright, Kathy Rekstis and Annette Hegemier, was the perfect way to illustrate what the children have been learning in the classroom.
“We have spent a good deal of time learning about the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence and the formation of the country through the Constitution and the Constitutional Convention,” Wright said. “This is a perfect example of following the Constitution. They mentioned the Constitution several times during the ceremony, and it’s exactly what we’ve been learning.”
She said many of the students have family members who immigrated to the United States and watching the ceremony helps the kids understand the process some of the members of their community went through to become Americans.
“I think it makes it very real,” she said, adding that it’s one thing to learn about it in the classroom but the experience of being in the courtroom was different. Some of the students even got to participate in the ceremony by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
United States Bankruptcy Judge John E. Hoffman, Jr. presided over the ceremony where 50 people from 29 countries were naturalized.
Wright said she recommends other teachers coordinate a field trip to the Courthouse.
“This is a really amazing, incredible experience,” she said.
Anyone who wants to coordinate a field trip or civic visit to the Courthouse can contact Public Information Officer Parker Perry at Parker_Perry@ohsd.uscourts.gov.
