HAZLETON, Pa. — Maria Camilo has dreamed about this day for years. After 14 years in the United States, she now stands in the Hazleton One Community Center as a United States citizen.
Just a few months ago, she came in knowing just three phrases in English—hello, good morning, and goodnight. Camilo says part of her success is thanks to Maureen Cherenyack or Mrs. C.
Camilo said she often questioned how she would accomplish her dream of gaining her citizenship when she wasn't confident in her English, but she says God put angels in her path like Mrs. C.
Cherenyack, a retired nurse, is a citizenship instructor at the Hazleton One Community Center. She helps her students with everything they need to pass their citizenship interviews and tests.
After about two months of citizenship classes with Mrs. C, Camilo passed.
Cherenyack tells us it is an honor to help people achieve their American dreams.
"The people are in this country trying to learn the language, doing everything in the right way, and, you know, hardworking, taking care of their family like we all want to do," Cherenyack said. "We all want to improve our lives, improve our children's lives, and our opportunities."
Mrs. C has helped over 50 people become citizens, including Agueda Rodriguez.
Rodrigues says it was her first attempt at getting her citizenship after six years in the United States, and with no English in her vocabulary, she passed it after the two-month class with Mrs. C., who she says is an angel that God sent her.
Rodgriguez says Mrs. C's patience and dedication to each student despite the language barrier are why she and many others succeed.
Cherenyack says she is passionate about what she does because it reminds her of all the struggles her ancestors endured when first coming to the United States.
"We are all immigrants here, and sometimes we forget. I just feel lucky that I'm part of the youth. I'm a senior citizen, this is the new people. This is the new lifeblood of our country and of our town."