All stand during this morning’s Naturalization Ceremony as the U.S. and New Mexico flags are marched into Frijoles Canyon at Bandelier National Monument where 15 people from 11 countries became American citizens. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
USCIS Field Office Director Patti Reynolds, left, poses with Anne Laurent who received her certificate of citizenship at today’s naturalization ceremony. Laurent was born in Canada to British parents. She has lived in the United States since she was 4 years old. “When people ask me why I want to be an American, I answer that the better question is ‘why not?'” Laurent said. She explained that she intended to become a naturalized citizen more than a decade ago, but 9/11 hit, she then began having babies so it was put off until now. Laurent is a LEED Certified licensed architect. She started work with Los Alamos County in September 2008 and currently serves as director of the Capital Projects & Facilities Department. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos County Council member David Israelevitz, center, and his wife Terry chat with Steve Laurent before his wife Anne Laurent became a U.S. citizen this morning during the naturalization ceremony at Bandelier. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Candidates for citizenship, Terri Moyers, left, and Susan Rachtman pose for a photo before the start of the naturalization ceremony at Bandelier this morning. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Candidates swear their allegiance to the United States during today’s naturalization ceremony. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
USCIS Field Office Director Patti Reynolds, left, with Bettina Sellers, who lives in Santa Fe, as she displays her new certificate of citizenship. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Front row from left, Cathy Walters, Patricia Harlow and Marie Pierce. Back row from left, Allie Thompson, Sally Cassil, and Judy Crocker. All six women were in attendance to witness the granting of U.S. citizenship at the naturalization ceremony at Bandelier today. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
USCIS Field Office Director Patti Reynolds, right, and Bandelier Chief Ranger Tom Betts wait for their turns to speak at the naturalization ceremony at Bandelier National Monument today. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Field Representative Pablo Sedillo prepares to read a statement from U.S. Sen. Jim Bingman. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Bandelier Chief Ranger Tom Betts takes a moment to reflect during his keynote speech at today’s naturalization ceremony in Frijoles Canyon. “This is the first time Bandelier has hosted a naturalization ceremony and it is such a wonderful event that we now plan to host this ceremony every year,” Betts told the Los Alamos Daily Post following the ceremony. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
County Council Chair Sharon Stover urges the newly sworn citizens to register to vote. This is Stover’s third naturalization ceremony at which she has welcomed and given a talk to new citizens. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Today’s 15 new citizens proudly display their certificates of citizenship. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Los Alamos resident Judy Goldie, past president of the Los Alamos Rotary Club, sings along to the Star Spangled Banner during the opening of today’s naturalization ceremony at Bandelier. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Rotary President Linda Hull, left, and Rotarian Jane Phillips prepare plates of cake for the new citizens, their guests and several officials who attended this morning’s naturalization ceremony at Bandelier. The Rotary Club of Los Alamos provided the cakes and other items for the celebration that followed the event. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
Members of Cochiti Pueblo perform dances during the naturalization ceremony at Bandelier this morning. Photo by Salvador Zapien/ladailypost.com
