On Friday, Sept. 18, nearly 60 people became U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony at Western Iowa Tech Community College in Sioux City. Same-day reporting by KTIV and Siouxland Public Media confirmed the ceremony took place. Friends and family were there to witness the moment, according to Siouxland Public Media. WITCC Dean of Opportunity and Engagement Revathi Vongasiprasom told KTIV that the college was celebrating its 60th year and called the ceremony momentous for candidates and their families.
Before the event, WITCC announced that it planned to host the ceremony at its Rocklin Conference Center. The college said it would bring new citizens and their families together with students, employees, community leaders and representatives of federal agencies. That was the announced plan; post-event reports confirm that the ceremony took place and that family and friends attended, but do not verify that every group listed in the announcement was present.
WITCC described the ceremony as a public celebration of candidates’ determination and accomplishments. The event formed part of the college’s September civic-engagement series, alongside activities focused on citizenship and voter education. The college also announced a Constitution Day presentation about the naturalization process for the previous day. WITCC said the series was open to the public and intended to help students and community members learn about citizenship and civic participation.
The ceremony marked a first for the host college. KTIV reported that organizers said it was the first naturalization ceremony held on an Iowa community college campus. KTIV also reported that the League of Women Voters attended to help new citizens with voter registration. For the newly naturalized, that meant registration assistance was available at the ceremony as they began participating in civic life as citizens.
A milestone reached together
Siouxland Public Media described smiles among the new citizens and their friends and family. The outlet reported that several candidates spoke of nervousness, relief, excitement and joy, and that some looked forward to fuller participation in the United States as citizens. Those reflections gave the gathering a personal dimension alongside the formal oath.
One of the new citizens, Misael Gonzalez Escobar of Storm Lake, was identified by Siouxland Public Media as having completed the oath at WITCC that day. Another new citizen, Rosa Lopez, had lived in the United States for many years, the outlet reported. Lopez spoke about what she would tell people who are eligible to pursue citizenship. “Don’t wait, don’t get discouraged,” she said, according to Siouxland Public Media.
KTIV also interviewed newly naturalized citizen Ralphina Sayonkon, who reflected on the setbacks that can arise during the process. “If you fail the first time, that’s fine,” she said. Her words offered a note of encouragement for others moving through the naturalization process.
A community college setting
The ceremony brought a formal civic milestone into a community college setting. WITCC’s pre-event announcement placed it within a September civic-engagement series that also included the Constitution Day presentation on naturalization and voter-registration assistance on campus. Those details describe the college’s announced programming; KTIV’s reporting confirms that League of Women Voters members were at the ceremony to help with registration.
The reports show how public institutions and community organizations can make a personal milestone visible. WITCC hosted the ceremony, and the League of Women Voters offered practical registration help. Siouxland Public Media and KTIV documented the new citizens’ experiences and the presence of their loved ones.
The candidates’ paths were individual, and the reports do not describe every participant’s story. They do show people reflecting on persistence, the emotions around taking the oath, and the prospect of fuller civic participation. Their families and friends witnessed the achievement, and the voter-registration assistance linked the day’s celebration to a next step.
For Sioux City, Sept. 18 brought nearly 60 new citizens together at Western Iowa Tech for the naturalization oath. The college had announced the ceremony as a public event; local reporters confirmed it took place and that loved ones attended. For the people who had worked toward that day, the ceremony marked a personal milestone shared with family, friends and a community able to recognize the achievement.
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