LIMESTONE —What year was the U.S. Constitution written? Some students of the Loring Job Corps provided a snap response to that question during a Constitution Day celebration on Sept. 17 at the Loring Job Corps Center (LJCC), correctly stating that the constitution was written in 1787.
While Constitution Day was certainly celebrated at the center — culinary students even whipped up an impressive Constitution Day cake for the occasion — it seemed that for every ounce of jubilation brought about by the celebration was matched with a pound of patriotism.
When he’s not studying medical Administration at the center, LJCC student Issa Aden is studying for the naturalization test required in order to become an American citizen.
Born in Kenya, Aden first arrived in New York City as a teenager and was greeted by the sights and sounds of the Big Apple; he described his dream of becoming an American citizen during a Sept. 16 Power Point presentation held during the center’s Community Industry Council meeting and luncheon.
Contributed photo
Like many of the students at the Loring Job Corps Center, Issa Aden was excited to celebrate Constitution Day on Sept. 17. The holiday hit home for Aden, who is currently persuing his dream of becoming a United States citizen. Originally from Kenya, Aden is currently studying to take the naturalization test required to receive citizenship.
The significance of Constitution Day was not lost on Aden, and faculty and staff at the LJCC ensured that the meaning of the celebration was not lost on any of the other students on Center.
Pam Buck, business and community liason for LJCC, expressed her personal views on why it’s important for the students to fully understand exactly what the Constitution means to them.
It seemed that each center instructor had a different way of reaching their students, whether it was focusing a discussion on one specific right guaranteed to each citizen under the Constitution or printing off a copy of the naturalization test to take and discuss with students — many faculty were surprised to find how many students found the topic engaging.
“I think Constitution Day made the students think twice about the opportunities afforded to them as citizens — even just being here at the Job Corps Center,” explained Buck. “Job Corps is funded by the government, and the education that the students receive here is their right, not just a privilege.”
“The Constitution, what it is and what it stands for, is almost who we are as United States citizens,” she added.
While Constitution Day was a fun way for students to learn about their rights, some students were appreciative of being born U.S. citizens, as one student did mention that they were, “so glad that I don’t have to take a test to become a United State citizen … that test is hard!”
To help students learn about the documents that formed America, approximately 400 copies of “The Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence” pocket book, received from Sens. Snowe and Collins’ offices, were distributed among students and faculty. Center representatives also distributed the current United States Citizen Test to take and discuss all the rights and obligations that come along with citizenship.