50 new U.S. citizens sworn in naturalization ceremony in Sunnylands

Wednesday morning, The Annenberg Foundation Trust hosted a naturalization ceremony at the Sunnylands Center & Gardens. The event was in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Overall, fifty new U.S. citizens recited the Oath of Allegiance, with a picturesque view of the mountains behind them as they received their official documents.

“America is the land of opportunity. I can truly confirm that," said Thailand native, Varisa Prukhatthapong. She spent the last 18-years trying to get her Green Card. "So I say thank you to my dad," Prukhatthapong said. "He supported my dream. He knows that my dream is big.”

Prukhatthapong also thanked her long-time teacher, Lois Valero, for taking her in and teaching her English.

“Varisa is a beautiful soul. I just loved her from the first. She's the daughter I never had. And I know her mom is looking down," Valero said. "You know, she's wanted this for so long. And she's worked so hard. She is such a hard worker. I am so proud of her and I know her father back home is too."

Another man, originally from Zimbabwe, is currently serving as a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. He's spent the last three years at Camp Pendleton working towards becoming an official U.S. citizen.

"Right now, serving the United States is already an honor as it is. And finally, being a U.S. citizen, I get to do much more, much more things," Rukudzo Mahlamvana said proudly. "I feel kind of happy, and a big burden, it's been lifted off of me. I feel very proud to be here today."

For many, saying the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the National Anthem with the purple San Jacinto Mountains in the background as an official U.S. citizen was an emotional moment. When asked why Sunnylands made the perfect venue for such a momentous occasion, David Lane, President of the Annenberg Trust at Sunnylands smiled.

"The Annenberg's themselves were immigrants," Lane said. "Walter Annenberg, the benefactor with his wife, Leonor Annenberg, his father, Moses was an immigrant, and they created a media company in this country. And we're always grateful to the United States for having made so much possible for them. So it's something they clearly would have wanted to do. It was very special for our staff. Very moving." He noted, many of the workers at the Estate also come from immigrant backgrounds.

Sunnylands itself is the the former home of Ambasssadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg. Its an historic estate, completed in 1966, that has served as a retreat for numerous influential figures, including presidents and world leaders. The estate is known for its stunning architecture and its role in hosting important diplomatic meetings. Which is why it was chosen for the ceremony.

It was the bittersweet end to an old chapter, and the exciting new beginning for a very long journey ahead for those taking part in the ceremony. Earning their citizenship is something many never believed would come to fruition. Mahlamvana hopes to travel outside of the U.S. and explore the world with he new passport. Prukhatthapong says she plans on opening up a boba shop in Twentynine Palms. The shop will be called "29 O'Clock", and is expected to open in January.

The 50 citizenship candidates came from 26 different countries, including Belize, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Philippines, Romania, Russia, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.