Bowling Green to Honor More Than 130 New U.S. Citizens at Annual Reception

Published:

September 16, 2025

Category:

General

Contact:

Leyda Becker - (270) 393-3766

Location:

Bowling Green, KY

The City of Bowling Green will host its 9th annual Reception for New Americans on Tuesday, September 23, at the Sloan Convention Center to honor more than 130 individuals who became U.S. Citizens between September 2024 and September 2025.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The City of Bowling Green is hosting a reception to recognize over 130 individuals who have become naturalized United States Citizens, from September 2024 to September 2025. The annual Reception for New Americans will take place on Tuesday, September 23 at 6 p.m. at the Sloan Convention Center.

The annual reception, now in its 9^th year, is planned and organized by the Community Engagement Division in the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services; and will feature recognition from Mayor Todd Alcott and the City’s Board of Commissioners. While the event is not open to the public, family and friends of the new U.S. Citizen are welcome to attend.

“This annual Reception for New Americans is our City’s recognition of the tremendous achievement that is to become a Citizen of the United States of America,” adds Leyda Becker, Community Engagement Division Manager for the City of Bowling Green.   The reception will featured a brief program that will include:

• Presentation of the Colors by the Bowling Green Police Department Honor Guard
• National Anthem performed by members of Hillvue Heights Church
• Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Bowling Green Police Department’s Officer Erika Echeverria, a naturalized U.S. Citizen from El Salvador.
• Featured Speaker, Mrs. Bonita Dearbone, Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Staff, City of Bowling Green, a naturalized U.S. Citizen from South Africa.
• Presentation of the “Naturalization Champion Award” by Leyda Becker, Community Engagement Division Manager, City of Bowling Green.
• Individual recognition of each naturalized United States Citizen by City officials
• Voter Registration Booth provided by Warren County Clerk, Lynette Yates.

The City of Bowling Green has worked to identify recently naturalized U.S Citizens through their International Communities Advisory Council members and its various community partners.  Warren County Skills U at Southcentral Community and Technical College and First Baptist Church’s International Ministry, have been actively involved with immigrants and refugees through English as Second Language classes and helping to process applications for naturalization.  “The process of naturalization is not simple, the eligible applicant has to submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)  that has a costly fee, pass a citizenship exam, complete an interview process and pass a thorough background check,” explains Becker who became a U.S. Citizen in 2011.

The Reception for New Americans is a great avenue to connect our newest citizens to local government, the role of City officials and the many municipal services offered.  For more information on the Reception for New Americans and the City of Bowling Green’s Community Engagement Division contact Leyda Becker at (270) 393-3766 or email leyda.becker@bgky.org.