People representing 21 countries become U.S. citizens

Ahmed Bdair, of South Toledo, right, waves his American flag after receiving his paperwork and taking the oath of citizenship early today during a naturalization ceremony at the Federal Courthouse in downtown Toledo.

Thirty new citizens were welcomed to the United States during a spirited naturalization ceremony held today at U.S. District Court in Toledo.

The new citizens, who represented 21 different countries, were welcomed by U.S. District Magistrate Vernelis Armstrong, who presided over the event.

“The U.S. has a long history of welcoming new citizens to this country,” Magistrate Armstrong told the new citizens during the ceremony. “I know each one of you have thought long about the pros and cons of becoming citizens. We welcome your decision to join us as U.S. citizens.”

PHOTO GALLERY: 30 take oath of citizenship

One of those new citizens was Mary Elizabeth Grist-Agubosim, 46, of the Bahamas, who originally came to the United States in 1990 to study. Mrs. Grist-Agubosim received a medical degree from the University of Toledo and is now a Toledo pediatrician,.

“I feel like this is one of the proudest moments of my life,” said Mrs. Grist-Agubosim, who lives in Toledo with her husband, Samuel, and their 11-year-old son, John.