Cafeteria manager breaks down in tears as school kids chant ‘USA, USA’ to congratulate the Cuban immigrant for passing her citizenship test
- Yanet López, a cafeteria manager at Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma, passed her United States citizenship test Monday
- On Tuesday, López, who migrated from Cuba to the U.S., received an ovation from the students who lined up the school hallway to chant ‘USA, USA’
- López has been employed at Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School for three years after moving to Oklahoma from Houston, Texas
A school cafeteria manager was quite unsure why she was reporting to the principal’s office after she heard her name called over the Oklahoma grade school’s public address system.
But Yanet López paused the preparation of the school lunch and proceeded to Michelle Anderson’s office at Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School in Edmond – where she received a sweet surprise on Tuesday.
She broke into tears when she caught the sight of students lining the hallway to greet her with cheers of ‘USA, USA’ to honor the native of Cuba for passing the United States citizenship test a day earlier.
A video posted on the school’s Facebook page showed the boys and girls high-fiving López , who was holding a small U.S. flag.
Yanet López shares a gift that one of the students at Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma, gave her Tuesday in recognition of passing the United States citizenship test. López migrated from Cuba to the United States and is employed as a cafeteria manager at the school
Yanet López, who migrated to the United States from Cuba, fights back tears as students line the halls of Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma, to honor her for becoming a naturalized citizen of the U.S.
‘When I was a child, I have a dream like, say, Martin Luther King, right? My dream was (to) come here to this great country,’ López told ABC TV station KOCO.
‘All the students (gave) me hugs. It was exciting. I was crying like a baby, and the teachers were crying.’
López has been employed by the Oklahoma elementary school for three years following her move from Houston, Texas, according to Univision.
Yanet López (center) pictured with her husband (second from left) and children, all of whom passed their United State citizenship tests this week in Oklahoma after they migrated from Cuba
Yanet López holds a United States flag and fights back tears as students at Deer Creek Prairie Vale Elementary School in Edmond, Oklahoma, cheer her on for passing the citizenship test
‘Every morning Ms. Yanet walks into the office and proclaims ‘Good Morning, Pretty Ladies’ and with a smile and a laugh she always starts the day with a positive message!’ Anderson wrote.
‘I am so excited for Ms. Yanet and the realization of one of her dreams in passing her citizenship test! We laughed that she would know more than those of us born in the U.S.A. I am honored to work with one of the best US citizens I know!’
López was not the only family member who also got a passing grade on the naturalization exam. Her husband and their three children, ages 17 to 28, were also naturalized as citizens of the United States.
‘I know everything about the United States, presidents. Everything is amazing. I know I learn a lot of history. I love this country,’ López said.
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