LOGAN, Utah (ABC 4 News)- A Logan custodian is realizing the American Dream after 20 long years. And in true American Spirit, it is the students she serves who have helped in her quest for U.S. Citizenship.
Wednesday, Vilma Valle will become a U.S. Citizen. “Oh yes. I wait for 20 years!” exclaims Valle.
She left El Salvador and her children, in order to give them a better life. “I no see them for 12 years. Oh yeah so very very hard,” Valle says.
But the students at Edith Bowen Laboratory School in Logan have helped fill that void. Valle says, “I feel they love me.”
“I think she's really awesome,” smiles Stuart Hopkins a 5th grade student.
Another 5th grade student, Daisy Karen adds, “She's really nice and always helping us.”
And that's why these kids wanted to return the favor. For two years they have been collecting quarters to raise money for Vilma's citizenship test. They've written letters to immigration, they have chipped in with Vilma's custodial chores so she could study and have even quizzed her.
“Everyone every day asking me a question,” recalls Valle.
That hard work has paid off. “I passed my test. I am ready for ceremony,” says Valle.
“She is the most wonderful, warm, loving person that you would want to meet. She doesn't take anything for granted. She's absolutely thrilled that the students are helping her,” says Joan Kyriopoulos, a 5th grade teacher.
Tuesday the students are all making posters to show their support not just for Vilma but for all of America's newest citizens.
Wednesday, with posters in hand, they will take a special field trip.
“She is going to be sworn in as a U.S. Citizen and we're all going to go down there and tour the State Capitol and watch her and it's going to be exciting,” explains Student Body President, Savannah Knight.
Karen adds, “I'm going to feel happy and it's going to make me feel good because she's worked so hard.”
Vilma has made a lot of sacrifices to live and work in America. In fact, she couldn't even attend her father's funeral. He died in March, her green card arrived a month later.
Wednesday, watch Vilma's Citizenship Ceremony and her reaction on ABC 4 News.
