Dolores Acosta (holding certificate) with U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Garza, Dolores' children David and Ruby, and one of the speakers for the ceremony.Dolores Acosta, one of our star students, became a U.S. citizen on March 9, 2018! Dolores met twice per week with Thelma Sordyl, her citizenship tutor, sometimes for two hours at a stretch. Dolores works at our local Albertsons bakery, and has two children, but she pushed hard to prepare for the test. She studied at home and listened to tapes in her car. In fact, her 5-year-old son had begun yelling the answers to US history questions—"CHURCH AND STATE!" by the time she was ready to take the test.

David, Dolores, Ruby, and David (Jr.) Acosta, and Thelma SordylTo help prepare for the test, Dolores and Thelma had different people quiz her so she could get used to different American voices, inflections and demeanors. She met goals very quickly, but had to wait months for her Naturalization test date. She passed the test on the first try, but had to wait several weeks for the final Naturalization Ceremony to be scheduled.

The Naturalization Ceremony was presided over by U.S. Magistrate Judge Carmen E. Garza with assistance by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. 191 people from 18 different countries became citizens that March morning, with over 600 family members and friends in attendance at the new, very large Convention Center in Las Cruces. Dolores was accompanied by David Acosta and their children, Ruby and David. Several extended family members also attended, as did tutor Thelma Sordyl and Literacy Link – Leamos Program Director Mary Beth Folia. Then we all celebrated at IHop!

Congratulations, Dolores!