Sixty-five people received certificates of naturalisation as British overseas territory citizens at a ceremony held at Government House Tuesday, according to Government Information Services.
After he distributed certificates and congratulated each new BOT citizen, Governor Boyd McCleary called the citizenship process “enriching” and urged the new citizens to play their part.
“As upright citizens you will need little reminding of the absolute prerogative to maintain cohesion in our society and the role that each one of us can play and the contribution we can make,” he said. “A society which does not share essential values and allegiances will suffer.”
He added that the BOT citizens “already have demonstrated a commitment to the British Virgin Islands over many years in diverse and varied fields of activity.”
Premier Dr. Orlando Smith also congratulated the participants and encouraged them to take pride in the Virgin Islands.
“As your life journey continues, I encourage you to share our story, which is now your story,” he said. “Learn the lyrics to ‘Oh Beautiful Virgin Islands’ so that the pride and foundations of whom we are as Virgin Islanders becomes innate and not a far distant thought.”
Following the presentation of certificates, the new citizens took an oath of allegiance to the Queen and pledged their loyalty to the territory.
Registrar-General Stephanie Benn said she hopes the new BOT citizens will be a positive influence on other VI residents.
“As you become new citizens, I charge you to take the time to reach out and touch somebody’s hand and make the BVI a better place, as you stated when you affirmed your pledge of loyalty and oath of allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen,” she said.
Newly naturalised citizens
Juliet Bernadette Alphonso
Angelita May Bernard
Stanley Augustus Bernard
Barrington George Bess
Luenda Elease Bobb
Lenard Stanley Mitcham Bridgewater
Bridget Anetha Bristol
Ronia Aneita Brown-Jack
Anna Riekje Bullimore
Jessica Latoya Charles
Tamieka Ruth Christopher
Drupatie Dasrath
Nandalal Dasrath
Manuel Antonio Faulkner
Joycelyn Venetta Fielteau
Carol Suzan Francis
Christine Lucia Fraser
Yvette Marilyn Freeman
Arthur Colville Grant
Dorcas Esther Evangeline Harris-Smith
Angela Arabella Harry
Ama Asantewaa Hodge
Julian Sebastian Jackson
Genise Nadia Chevelle Jessamy
Roslyn Maria Jessop
Carolus Anthony John
Cheryl Erasma John
Janice Susana King
Jessica King
Oswald Gregory King
Komal Narine Lutawan
Chantal Roseline Marquis
Iris Mason-Gumbs
Ruthilia Maximea
Urbana Maria Morillo Castillo
Terrance Basil Neale
Garfield Wayne Boyd Neita
Marcos Edgardo Nisbett Faulkner
Ruperto Alberto Nisbett Faulkner
Abayna Maricia Monica Norford-Devonish
Cesar Genaro Padilla Grant
Grace Louisa Phillip-James
Haitram Ramgobin
Savitri Ramgobin
Leydi Valentina Richards Ferreras
Ruben Alonso Richards Jesus
Mayrobi Edaliza Richards Rodriguez
Anthony Johnson Roy Rodgers
Verney Beverley Seymour-O’Neal
Nadira Veronica Singh
Julian Keith Smith
Leshaugh Arreo Smith
Santa Hermia Smith
Shirley Anne Smith
Natividad Solano-Thomas
Compton Rockliffe Sommersel
Martin Rodrigues Stephens
Jennifer Patricia Stevens
Elizabeth Vinzen
Agnes Wallace
Strassman Alexander Wallace
Job Nathaniel Ward
Cheryl Althea Williams
Marsha Alicia Williams
Kishayne Clarence Wright