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New Citizen is welcomed with special U.S. gift

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Directory Listing

Rockwall County Library

Rockwall, TX: Maria Diaz recently became a citizen of the United States of America and received a special gift – a hand-decorated tile with red, white and blue American symbols on it, painted by the children of the First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall, Texas.

Maria Diaz, born in Mexico, came to this country in 1993 and has been working toward becoming a citizen by attending the citizenship preparation classes at the Rockwall Library. With the support of her husband and two children, Maria reached her goal on August 22nd, 2011 when she passed her U. S. Citizenship exam. Congratulations to Maria!

Some children from First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall had read an article earlier this year about local people receiving their citizenship. These children decided to make the new citizens a special gift for the occasion. Painting symbols in red, white and blue, each tile is a unique tribute to the achievement of the new citizen as well as the welcoming, giving nature of the child. At the children’s request, the tiles will be given to future new citizens, as a welcoming gift. Thank you to these thoughtful children!

The Rockwall County Library Reading for Adults (RFA) program provides free educational support in four areas to the community. Based in the Rockwall County Library, the RFA program has approximately 285 adult students from 35 countries, and 75 local volunteer tutors. Serving Rockwall County for over ten years, the RFA Program offer free classes including:

• ESL (English as a Second Language)
• GED Studies and Preparation
• U. S. Citizenship Preparation
• Adult Literacy Studies

The Rockwall County RFA offers classes throughout the year, following the Rockwall ISD calendar plus summer conversation and GED classes. The fall classes have close to 200 adults in the ESL Conversation and GED classes. Class schedules include morning and evening classes for GED, ESL, Citizenship and literacy students.

For more information on class schedules or how to become a tutor or make a donation, please call 972-204-7705 or click on the Adult Literacy Center tab on the Rockwall County Library website.

Submitted by Jamie J. Rubush

Posted Thursday, September 15, 2011