Onondaga Community College's SRC Arena was turned into a federal courthouse Tuesday when it played host to a naturalization ceremony. Fifty people from 28 countries were sworn-in as United States citizens.
The newest group of Americans included 13 people currently serving in the United States military. One of those was Billy Tepong Akebe from Cameroon. He's been in the United States Army for nearly two years while stationed at Fort Drum. "Becoming an American citizen is important to me because it's been one of my goals. I had the opportunity to come to the United States and make a difference. I'm smart and I'm hard working. Being an American citizen gives me that platform to be able to give back the values that I have."
The Naturalization Ceremony was presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Glenn T. Suddaby. He was joined on stage by OCC President Casey Crabill who presented each new citizen with a miniature American flag. OCC Music student Jacob Nugent sang the National Anthem and God Bless America during the ceremony.
