39 Become U.S. Citizens at Grand Junction High School Ceremony

Naturalization ceremony held at Colorado high school for the 7th time, giving students a firsthand look at the process.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:31pm

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In a special ceremony held at Grand Junction High School in Colorado, 39 people from 17 different countries across the globe were sworn in as new U.S. citizens. The event, the school's 7th naturalization ceremony, allowed students to witness the final steps of the citizenship process.

Why it matters

The naturalization ceremony at Grand Junction High School provides a unique educational opportunity for students to see the privilege of U.S. citizenship and the journey many take to achieve it. It also highlights Colorado's diversity as a state and the continued importance of immigration to the country.

The details

The 39 new citizens hail from 17 different countries spanning every inhabited continent. The ceremony, usually held in a courthouse or smaller setting, took place in the high school's auditorium, allowing students to attend and observe the process firsthand. Colorado State Representative Matt Soper was present, supporting his wife Sarah as she became a new citizen.

  • The naturalization ceremony was held on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
  • This was the 7th time Grand Junction High School has hosted the event.

The players

Grand Junction High School

A high school in Grand Junction, Colorado that has hosted the naturalization ceremony for 7 years, providing students a unique educational opportunity.

Matt Soper

A Colorado State Representative who attended the ceremony to support his wife as she became a new U.S. citizen.

Sarah Soper

The wife of Colorado State Representative Matt Soper, who became a naturalized U.S. citizen during the ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“It just meant a lot to me. Realizing like how much privilege we have as Americans, and we're born into this, and other people are born into third world countries with little to nothing, and we take so much of what we have for granted every single day in our lives.”

— Tyler Moralez, GJHS student

“The final culmination is her raising her hand and becoming a U.S. citizen along with the other 39 people today. It was personally special. It was something that, yeah, I was pretty emotional.”

— Matt Soper, Colorado State Representative

“Well, I can actually finally vote for my husband.”

— Sarah Soper

What’s next

The new citizens will now be able to fully participate in American civic life, including voting in elections.

The takeaway

The naturalization ceremony at Grand Junction High School highlights the continued importance of immigration to the United States and the privilege of U.S. citizenship, while also providing a valuable educational experience for students to witness the process firsthand.