39 immigrants become U.S. citizens at the naturalization ceremony in Akron

Shelley Blundell spent part of her birthday trying to become an American citizen.

Blundell and 38 others were honored as newly minted Americans Friday at a ceremony at the Akron-Summit County Public Library downtown.

“Today I think was probably the most relief I’ve felt in years,” Blundell said.

She said that during her 25 years in the country, she sometimes wondered whether the complex naturalization process was worth the effort. Blundell emigrated from South Africa, where she said opportunities were scarce. However, America offered her many more opportunities – including a year working as a librarian at the Akron Beacon Journal. She is now the education director for the Victim Assistance Program.