By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald
Cathedral school honors new U.S. citizen at special assembly
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Cathedral student Lorena Lane, left, and Sebastian Lane pose with their mother, Malu Lane, in the gym of the Cathedral School in Superior April 4. The school held a special assembly to honor Malu Lane, who became a U.S. citizen April 1. (Catholic Herald photo by Dan Sullivan) |
SUPERIOR -- The Cathedral School gym was a sea of red, white and blue on April 4. The colors were worn by students, staff and parents during a special assembly to honor Malu Lane.
On April 1, Lane, who teaches Spanish at the school, traveled to Minneapolis to be sworn in as a United States citizen.
"It's very important we come together today to honor Mrs. Lane on her very special day," Michelle Vinoski, a middle school teacher and assistant principal, said to those gathered.
After a surprised Lane, with son Sebastian in her arms, entered the room, everyone stood and the school band played the National Anthem.
"I remember as a little kid when a teacher talked about what a person, who moved here from another country, had to do to become an American citizen," Vinoski said. "It's really tough and I am willing to bet Mrs. Lane knows a lot. We wanted to gather here today to honor Mrs. Lane on her accomplishment."
Besides taking a test, when a person becomes an American citizen they take an oath, which includes a pledge to be loyal to the United States.
"That must be very hard for her because Mexico is still very important to Mrs. Lane," Vinoski said.
During the assembly Caitlin Pendleton, a sixth grader, recited a patriotic reading called "Honor the Flag." Among the class representatives who came forward and presented Lane gifts was her daughter, Lorena Lane, who is in the first grade at Cathedral School.
Malu Lane said she was surprised and thanked everyone for their support."I am very proud to be an American citizen," she said.
The band closed the program by performing a medley of patriotic tunes. Then the assembly said the Pledge of Allegiance.
"We are very proud at this school to be able to say the Pledge of Allegiance and to be able to say the words, 'One nation under God,'" Vinoski said.
Dan Blank, a school parent, told the Catholic Herald about all the support Lane gives to this school.
"She just got on the the council at St. Francis (Xavier Parish) and will be a real voice for Cathedral School," Blank said. "I don't know what we would do without her."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005