300 in Valley become new U.S. citizens

The crowd was murmuring in many languages - Arabic, Spanish, Korean. But when 300 new citizens of the United States stood up and raised their right hands, their pledges resounded in English.

SLIDESHOW: New citizens

"I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

The 20th annual Fiesta of Independence at South Mountain Community College happened Friday morning, causing the school's gymnasium to temporarily turn into a courtroom. Valley residents from 38 countries, from Afghanistan to Uzbekistan, became new U.S. citizens.

During the ceremony, they proudly waved flags and pledged allegiance to their new country.

But the audience members were just as emotional - if not more so - as they watched their friends and families take the oath. Some dabbed tears from their eyes.

They rushed up near the new citizens to take photographs during the pledges, jostling against each other for the perfect shot. Others carried balloons, corsages and bouquets of roses for their loved ones.

"I feel such joy," said an emotional Ken Tydeck, a Mesa pilot, who watched as his wife of 19 years, Teri, became a U.S. citizen. Teri was born and raised in Canada. She moved to the U.S. for college 25 years ago and stayed.

"I'm really excited to be able to vote and, believe it or not, I'm looking forward to being able to serve on a jury. It's like CSI will come to life," she said, laughing.

Teri Tydeck, wearing a patriotic T-shirt and flip-flops and a matching red Prada bag, held her niece as the ceremony finished.

"My grandparents came here through Ellis Island, so watching her, I feel like I'm connecting with them in some way, too," Ken Tydeck said.

Shortly afterward, another Mesa resident, Amin Osman, received his certificate of citizenship, too. Amin, originally from Egypt, posed for a photograph, proudly sporting an American flag tie.

His wife, Safaa, had been taking photos throughout the ceremony. She became a citizen several years ago. Now the couple hope their children will soon be given citizenship, too.

"I'm proud to become an American citizen," Amin said.

America Sanchez, 23, was brimming with pride, too, as she held her 4-month-old son Gavin and accepted congratulations from her mother and her future in-laws.

"I already feel different," she said. "I've wanted this for so long."

Sanchez moved to Mesa from Sinaloa, Mexico, as a child. She graduated from Mountain View High School, and works as a stylist at Dolce Salon and Spa.

"This is what it's all about, freedom and citizenship" said Phil Hardt, whose son, Neil Rossman, is engaged to Sanchez. "This ceremony, on this day, it's a good way to really think about those things we probably don't think about enough, and maybe even take for granted."

As they filed out of the gymnasium, the Tydecks, the Osmans and Sanchez all had similar plans for Independence Day - to celebrate it with backyard barbecues, all as Americans.