Chamber Ensemble, eighth grade perform at Faneuil Hall

"O beautiful for spacious skies." As the eighth grade class sang those words on Thursday afternoon, and they echoed against the halls of the most historic hall in the country, they became the first words that two hundred and fifty immigrants to the United States heard as newly naturalized U.S. citizens.

Above: the Chamber Ensemble performs, while the eighth grade prepares to sing.

Click here to see a video of the naturalization ceremony.

As part of the Catholic Memorial Middle School Program's interdisciplinary unit on immigration and citizenship, the eighth grade class and its teachers spent their second day this term outside of the classroom on January 21, visiting two historic sites important to U.S. immigration and citizenship throughout the city. In December, the Middle School Program visited the Museum of Science for an Omni Theater presentation of "Great Journey West" and to the Prudential Center's top-floor exhibition of immigration history in Boston.

On Thursday morning, students visits the famous "Golden Steps" in East Boston, arrival site of thousands of Italian, Irish and Jewish immigrants in the 1800s and 1900s. Second only to Ellis Island in terms of the number of entering immigrants, the Golden Steps are an important landmark in the history of new Americans seeking the dream.

From seeing one of the points of entry for America's first major wave of immigration, students then traveled to Faneuil Hall, where they witnessed the oath of allegiance of two hundred and fifty of America's newest citizens.

Along with the CM Chamber Ensemble which played the Star Spangled Banner, the eighth grade sang "God Bless America," as representatives of the U.S. District Court, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Immigration and Naturalization Services looked on. Mr. Denis Riordan P'14, the District Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, arranged for the students to come on Thursday. Judge Rya Zobel, who swore in the newest citizens, praised the students' efforts and musical talents.

Middle School Program theology and geography teacher Mark Smith '85 testified that the students got a lot out of the day. "Watching these people who are looking for new opportunities to come intro our country and experience freedom and democracy...it's an exciting day," said Smith.

Jacob Graham '14 agreed. "It was good to see everybody so happy after they came into this country."

"My favorite part was seeing so many different countries [represented] and everyone becoming a U.S. citizen," added Andrew Kang '14.

Plans are underway for a seventh grade field trip to the March naturalization ceremony at Faneuil Hall as well.