Photo by Kade V.
WINDSOR –– On September 28, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School hosted a citizenship ceremony for 30 new Canadians from 17 different countries. Presiding the ceremony was the Presiding Official Kristy Greenslade along with the Clerk of the Ceremony Daniel Fanelli. Local dignitaries Nadia Desjardins, Supervisor of International Education (WECDSB); Larissa Dushime, Student at St. Joseph’s; David Labute, Principal of St. Joseph’s; and Charlie Sylvestre, History Teacher at St. Joseph’s were also among the list of guest speakers at the ceremony.
To bring forth Canadian traditions, RCMP Officer Constable Rob Allen was also present at the ceremony as well as a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II provided by the IRCC Windsor
A portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, Queen Elizabeth II provided by the IRCC Windsor, easel provided by St. Joes. Photo by Kade V.
The grand event started at 10:00AM, just bordering the time when St. Joseph’s students are ready to go to their second period class. Grade 10 Civics classes received the opportunity to witness the ceremony and appreciate the real-life practice of their class discussions and lessons.
A crowd of students, new Canadians, dignitaries, and teachers fill the bleachers at the cafetorium to witness the Canadian Citizenship Court at St. Joseph's High School. Photo by Kade V.
Mr. Sylvestre commenced the citizenship ceremony with a welcome speech dedicated to the audience, friends and families of the candidates, special guests, and the upcoming new Canadians themselves that were more than ready to take the Oath of Citizenship.
After his introduction, Mr. Fanelli took on the podium to introduce the special guests and gave his opening remarks just before he administers the Oath of Citizenship. The candidates for citizenship were invited to stand and step forward to recite the oath, and all friends, families, and students stood along with them and affirmed their Oath to Canada.
He invited the special guests to descend from the stage to greet the new Canadians and hand them their Canadian Citizenship Certificate as they each come forward when called by name.
Just before the ceremony was officially adjourned, every audience member and guest was requested to stand and sing O Canada as the RCMP Officer escorts the dignitaries out of the cafetorium.
Even after the ceremony, the excitement among all new Canadians and everyone else in the room continued to flourish.
In an interview conducted by CBC Windsor, Ali Noor, one of the new Canadians who took their oath at St Joes’ said that “today [was] [her] big day, [she] [was] so happy. [She] [is] very proud to be a Canadian citizen.”
Ali Noor immigrated from Somalia about 10 years ago, and she took the Oath of Citizenship with her two daughters, Semira and Ramla.
Moving to Canada and taking part in the ceremony pushed Semira and Ramla to think about their future endeavours as new Canadians. “I was thinking where I’m going to go and what I’m going to do,” said 10-year-old Semira in a brief interview with CBC Windsor.