City of Bowling Green hosts ceremony to recognize new Americans in community

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Over 60 new naturalized US citizens were recognized as part of an annual ceremony the City of Bowling Green held at the Sloan Convention Center on Tuesday evening.

It allows them to celebrate with their fellow countrymen, as well as meet city officials and organizations that can assist them.

For one new citizen, it is an opportunity for him to continue the work he’s already doing in his community.

“I’m very, very excited by the way, it was great honor to be able to be here. This moment is very great, great feelings. I’m very, very super excited… had to meet some great, great people like that… the mayor… Leyda, Gary. It was just a moment and a great moment. I enjoyed being here,” Raymond Devos Irumva says.

Others are simply happy to be in the United States.

“This is great moment where we be look nice here as a US citizen. This means a lot for us who came out from other side of America,” Mfatiye Selestino says.

Building relationships like these are incredibly important to city staff, as it helps them make sure everyone’s doing well in America.

“We want to make sure we have a good pulse on how each of the communities is doing here in Bowling Green. Are they interacting successfully or they are having challenges? How can we help meet those needs? So being able to connect with those leaders allows us to have that trust and build that trust with those communities that we wouldn’t have otherwise,” says Leyda Becker, Community Engagement Division Manager.