Local resident becomes U.S. citizen

After seven years of preparation and determination, Vinnie Elliott, a local Drexel citizen, is now one of us.

A beloved local area resident, Viengsavanthong Chanthavong Elliott (Vinnie Elliott) became one of the newest Citizens of the United States of America on Friday, November 20, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. 
The swearing-in, also known as naturalization proceedings, was held in the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka, Kansas, during which 44 new citizens, originally from 24 different countries, became new citizens.
Vinnie’s husband, Don Elliott of Paola, Kansas, daughter Sulita, and friends Dave Alburty and Carol Pranulis went to Topeka in her support. 
The colors were presented by the U.S. Coast Guard, which has a facility in the building. The process was presided over by U.S. Judge Janice Miller Karlin, and was conducted as an official court proceeding. 
Following the official business of the court, a keynote address was given by Dr. Shekkar Challa of the Kansas Medical Clinic, originally from India. He became a citizen at the same building in 1981, and told his encouraging story of overcoming adversity to come to this area, and of having sat in those same seats at one time. 
One new citizen, a nurse from Ghana, broke down in tears of joy at the end of the ceremony. 
All of the new citizens had interesting and productive occupations and skills and will be a great asset to our country. Vinnie, a volunteer worker at the Drexel Library, is also a nurse and has a biology degree. She is originally from Laos, and she has been working on her U.S. citizenship for seven years. 
Becoming a U.S. Citizen begins with obtaining permanent resident status, sometimes called obtaining a Green Card. That process usually takes quite some time. Once that step is completed, application to become a U.S. Citizen can begin. Naturalization is the process by....
Read the entire story in the December 3rd edition.