12-04-2025
Naturalization ceremony at UPJ brings 40 people into fold as U.S. citizens
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – The United States has 40 newly naturalized citizens living in the Johnstown region as of Friday.
Men and women hailing from 24 different countries had their petitions for U.S. citizenship granted Friday in a federal court proceeding conducted at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Richland Township.
Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar said the event moved him because the nation is coming up to its 250th anniversary next summer.
'To me, the symbolism of this event reminds me about this incredible miracle of a life we all have in the United States,' he said before the ceremony.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, presided over the ceremony.
For those petitioning for citizenship, the ceremony ended seven months of studying for the citizenship test. Many of them have been living and working in the U.S. for years with permanent residency cards, but without the rights of citizenship, including the right to vote.
Friends and family of the new citizens packed Pitt-Johnstown's John P. Murtha Center for Public Service and National Competitiveness for the ceremony.
Katrina and Mike Karamidas, of Altoona, attended the ceremony for their father, Theodoros Karamidas, 68.
'He came here when he was 15 years old on a cruise ship and started working at restaurants,' Katrina Karamidas said. 'He built his life around that.'
Her father was always busy working at the restaurant he owns in Altoona, the Athenian Cafe. But since retiring two years ago, he decided to take the steps necessary for naturalization, she said.
After the petitioners recited the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, Haines called the new citizens by name and gave each a certificate of citizenship along with a small American flag, which Theodoros Karamidas happily waved.
Maria Smith, formerly of Costa Rica, said she was 'excited and proud' to become a U.S. citizen after 13 years living in Somerset County, where she works in health care along with her husband Mike Smith, originally of Johnstown.
'Now I can vote and I just feel more confident,' she said.
Spectar delivered a heartfelt keynote address. Spectar himself is a naturalized U.S. citizen from Africa.
The first African immigrant to be named a university president in the U.S., Spectar has received recognitions including being listed among the most 'influential Americans of recent African immigrant heritage.'
'Across the world, millions of people would wish they were here today – but we are here,' he said.
Spectar paraphrased America's Founding Fathers, past presidents and Fred Rogers, of the children's TV show 'Mister Rogers' Neigborhood,' who often said, 'It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.'
'It's always a beautiful day to be an American citizen in the greatest, I dare say, the greatest republic since the dawn of time,' Spectar said.
He quoted Benjamin Franklin's response to Elizabeth Willing Powel's question during the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which produced the framework for the government and citizens' rights and freedoms under the Constitution.
Spectar said: ' 'Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?' she asked. Franklin answered: 'A republic, if you can keep it.' '
Spectar added to the quote: 'If we can keep it,' he said.
'What must we do to keep the republic?' he said. 'We must engage in civil discourse and debate, not to be prideful, but humble. These are complex ideas that our great nation is built on,' he said. 'Read your local newspaper and write a letter to the editor. ... Serve in your communities – unselfish service is how the republic was built.'
Spectar drew attention to the country's war veterans who fought in wars throughout America's history.
'Let us be worthy of their service,' he said, and quoted President Abraham Lincoln, who honored the fallen soldiers at Gettysburg when he said that the government they fought for, 'a government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.'
Spectar urged the new citizens to be optimistic for the future they have charted for themselves and their children.
He said there are boundless opportunities before them in the U.S. and in the Johnstown area. The nation's exploration of the universe has recently been aided by a Pitt-Johnstown alumnus who worked on NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, he said.
Spectar urged the new citizens to cherish their new home as a 'precious gift' and continue work to 'build a more perfect union,' as the preamble to the Constitution states.
'Yes, it is quite close to a perfect union, but it's work,' he said. 'You are powerful agents. You have agency in the democratic experiment. You are part of the greatest title ever conferred to man and woman: 'We the People of the United States.' '
Alvin Alvarez, originally from the Philippines, arrived in the United States in 2006 and has been working as a physical therapist in the Johnstown and Altoona areas for nearly 20 years with a green card.
'I have learned to love this country,' he said. 'That's why I became a citizen.'
Sadga Hgana, originally of Sudan, has been living in Altoona for the past five years; now, she is a citizen of the U.S.
'I am very happy,' she said. 'Very happy.'
