73 Valley residents become US citizens during ceremonies

Michael Riddell grew up in Australia but is so immersed in the United States now that he coaches soccer here.

Riddell, of Staunton, a Fort Defiance High physics teacher, was among 73 Shenandoah Valley residents who became U.S. citizens during naturalization ceremonies Tuesday at the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton.

“Before I paid taxes, but I couldn’t vote,’’ said Riddell, who will vote for the first time in the November presidential election.

Riddell has watched the recent struggles of his adopted country, from the hurricanes that devastated coastal Texas two weeks ago to the economic crisis that has gripped the country in recent days.

“The way to meet these challenges is as a community. A large group of volunteers can do it,’’ said Riddell, who was surrounded by relatives.

Immigration declined last year after a record influx. Just 500,000 people immigrated to the U.S. last year compared to 1.8 million the year before, according to census statistics. Immigration declined last year in 14 states and several major cities.

The new citizens in Staunton hailed from 29 countries and six continents. They were reminded of their freedoms and their responsibilities.

“You are choosing to be an American because you wanted to be,’’ said Pablo Cuevas, Tuesday’s keynote speaker, a Cuban immigrant and a Rockingham County supervisor.  “Register to vote, be a part of your church and community.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge James Welsh, who administered the citizenship oath to the new citizens, told them the process of becoming a citizen has only started.

He reminded them all Americans are immigrants or the descendants of immigrants.

“Each immigrant adds to the rich vitality of our culture,’’ Welsh said.

Tuesday’s naturalization ceremony also served as civics lesson for students from three area schools, C.F. Richards Junior Academy of Staunton, Stuarts Draft Middle School and Waynesboro’s Wenonah Elementary.

Wenonah Principal Rebecca Jarvis said Tuesday’s ceremony comes on the heels of students studying the American Constitution and helps teach the “importance and responsibilities of citizenship.”