The Court partnered with Cincinnati Public Schools to preside over a naturalization ceremony at Woodward Career Technical High School.

The school's band played before and during the ceremony to celebrate more than 50 people taking the new citizenship oath in the school's gym, and students cheered from the bleachers.

"It's very amazing to see somebody who took years of their time to try to be a citizen finally be accepted," student Amya Hudson said to media after the ceremony.

Naturalization ceremonies often take place in a federal courtroom, but The United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio hosts several naturalizations at community locations across southern Ohio to showcase an important role of the Judiciary and connect with the community it serves.

United States District Judge Michael R. Barrett presided over the ceremony and said having the ceremony at the school was a unique experience.

"When you come to a situation like Woodward High School where they have a band, where they have the Color Guard coming in and a lot of extra trappings, that does make them feel extra special," he said. 

The ceremony was the last step of a journey that takes years to complete to become an American citizen. The candidates were lawful residents of the United States who passed required background checks, proven their good moral character, and passed English reading, writing and speaking tests. They also passed a U.S. history and civics exam.

"The naturalization ceremony is profoundly inspiring, not only for those becoming new citizens, but for our Woodward Career Technical High School students who were able to witness and participate in the ceremony," CPS Interim Superintendent Shauna Murphy said. "Learning about this process in their classroom is one thing, but experiencing it firsthand offers our students a unique and powerful perspective on the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship."