Rockville Program Graduates Largest Citizenship Class

Community Ministries of Rockville’s Language Outreach Program celebrated the completion of its largest Citizenship at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville.

The full class of 26 students, many accompanied by spouses and children, came to the graduation ceremony July 10.

Each student received an American flag and a certificate acknowledging graduation from the program after correctly answering one of the civics questions that may be asked during the official citizenship interview.

Those who choose the path to citizenship complete a long application, pay $680 to the U.S. Government, and can wait up to six months to be interviewed. They then provide answers to many questions about their background, families, and trips outside the U.S.  and take a civics test and an oral and written English before being granted the opportunity to take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Maritza Talavera, a graduate of the winter Citizenship course told about her experiences becoming a citizen this June.  She said the class and the teacher  were “a gift” and “prepared her well” for the interview.

Talvera followed her husband to the U.S. from Peru fifteen years ago.

As one of five programs under the CMR umbrella, the Language Outreach Program provides an intensive citizenship class in the summer and in the winter.  Additionally, basic to advanced English proficiency courses for Montgomery County adults are taught two nights each week in fourteen week sessions.

The next session, which includes childcare and child tutoring components, begins September 9.

About Valerie Bonk

Valerie Bonk is a multimedia reporter and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media (MCM).

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