Vol. 37, Number 2 —February 2005

Maryland Students Join Naturalization Festivities

On December 17, 2004, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland conducted a special naturalization ceremony in the Edward G. Garmatz Federal Courthouse in Baltimore, Maryland. Magistrate Judge Beth P. Gesner presided as 45 applicants for citizenship representing 23 countries were sworn in as new citizens. The ceremony was made especially memorable by the Fourth Grade Class of Chesapeake Academy. The students, who led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “ America,” also prepared gift booklets, packets, and flags for each new citizen, commemorating the importance of the day. After the ceremony, a reception was provided by the students of Chesapeake Academy. The students raised the money to pay for the reception by doing chores.