By Jeremy Walsh
Though the second full week of June is already marked by Flag Day, a group of Queens children will have extra reason to swell with patriotic pride each year when they remember the day they became American citizens.
Some 27 children from throughout Queens were sworn in during a ceremony at the Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst last Thursday — just in time for Flag Day on June 13. And the country’s newest citizens showed their pride by proudly waving a bevy of Old Glories while a chorus from nearby PS 206 sang Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an American.”
The children earned their citizenship through their parents, all of whom recently underwent the naturalization process.
“Congratulations,” said Andrea Quarantillo, district director of the Citizenship and Immigration Services division of the Department of Homeland Security before leading the children through the citizenship oath. “This is a wonderful day for all of you and a day many of you will never forget.”
The most diverse county in the nation lived up to its reputation at the ceremony, with Caribbean, European, Asian and South American countries represented among the fresh faces.
Among them was Michal Ukowski, 9, of Glendale, whose parents, Halina and Marisuz, came to Queens from Poland six years ago.
“We’re very happy and proud of him,” Halina Ukowski said. “We hope he’s proud of himself, too.”
Once he had accepted his certificate of citizenship, Mikal said he felt different. When pressed to explain how, he said, “I’m a citizen.”
Other children also appreciated the momentousness of the day.
“It’s a big achievement,” said Tyrese Johnson, 8, of Richmond Hill, whose family came from Trinidad and Tobago when he was only a few months old.
“I’m a citizen and I’m not an immigrant,” said Flushing resident Nicolas Stewart, 11, who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica with his family at age 3 and wants to join the Army to become an engineer.
Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jewalsh@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
