JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Eighteen people from 12 different countries including Haiti, Dominican Republic, Afghanistan and Colombia, were sworn in as U.S. citizens at Paxon School for Advanced Studies in Jacksonville on Wednesday.
Hundreds of students witnessed their hard work paid off.
Usually, a naturalization ceremony in the city takes places at the Duval County Courthouse. Occasionally, a Duval County public school will host it. It's something Dr. Diana Green, the previous school superintendent, started.
Paxon is the fifth school to host a naturalization event. Students cheered for the newly sworn citizens.
Judge Timothy J. Corrigan said becoming a U.S. citizen takes hard work and perseverance.
"These folks stuck with it," Corrigan said. "It takes years. It takes family support and they finally made it. So, it's a very uplifting experience to be able to swear them in as new citizens."
For one new U.S. citizen, Eddy Andre, he described the work to become a citizen as a dream come true. Andre is from Haiti and looks to continue his career as an engineer in America. He recalled how the process took more than a year to accomplish.
"I never think I can make it after five years in the USA," Andre told First Coast News.
The now Haitian-American recalled how he had to learn about the United States and pass the necessary exams. He encourages people who are still in line to become a citizen to "just do it."