PEOPLE TAKE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED STATES ON COUNTRY DAY’S CAMPUS

On April 27, Cincinnati Country Day School hosted a naturalization ceremony on our campus during which 51including two Country Day parents! - were sworn in as U.S. citizens.

“Here today, everyone wins,” said U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott. “You can become whatever you want to be in this great country of opportunity. You have shown your commitment and eagerness to take on the responsibilities of being an American citizen. It’s our high honor and privilege to welcome you.”

The Carey Family Amphitheater was designated a United States courthouse for the day as America’s 51 newest citizens from 31 countries took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.

“We are a four-nation family and to finally all be united as Americans is very special,” said Martin Hettich, Country Day parent, who, along with his wife Nina, became U.S. citizens that day. “And the fact that the ceremony happened here at this school where we’ve dedicated so much makes it incredibly significant to us.”

For the ceremony, Greg Miller, choir director, sang the national anthem, and members of the Class of 2029 led the Pledge of Allegiance. Students from all divisions sat in attendance. Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 provided a welcome to all in attendance, with a special message to the new citizens.

“Today, you are as American as anyone else in this country…You have worked hard, sacrificed much, and committed yourselves to our American experiment in self-government. Congratulations to you all; we welcome you with open arms,” said Zimmerman. “This is also a momentous occasion for those of us who have been American citizens for much longer because today serves as an act of renewal, rebirth, and revival for us all…Your purposeful commitment today challenges all of us to be worthy of the country you have sacrificed so much to join.”

Also in attendance were representatives from the League of Women Voters, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Freestore Foodbank.

Scan here for photos more from the ceremony.

On May 13, 2023, the Cincinnati Country Day School community celebrated the Class of 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees – Marc Comisar ’71, Meredith “Meridy” Vollmer McLane ’01, Erika Armstead ’12, and Kyle Kistinger ’12.

“The stories of how Country Day changed the lives of our student-athletes never fail to inspire me, and they reaffirm my faith in the power of athletics as an essential element of a Country Day education,” said Head of School Rob Zimmerman ’98 to open the ceremony. “At Country Day, we firmly believe that athletics are not an ‘extra-curricular’ activity; rather, they are central to the mission of our school. These inductees remind us of the standard of excellence to which we aspire, perpetuate our culture of success, and connect us to our history and our future.”

Meridy Vollmer McLane ’01, who Coach Steve Conner called one of the most naturally-gifted athletes he has ever seen, was a three-sport athlete, playing soccer and basketball and running track during her years at Country Day. She was a state runner-up in the high jump, was a member of the state-qualifying 4x800m relay team, and participated in multiple league, district, and regional championships.

“This is a great honor. As a current parent of three Country Day students, I can see so much more clearly the love and dedication of this faculty and staff,” said McLane. “My coaches pushed me to try everything, which helped me be more versatile in so many areas of my life. The fact that Coach [Steve] Conner and Coach [Theresa Hirschauer] Hirsch are still here is a testament to their dedication and passion. Country Day played such an important role in my life and continues to be a great source of friendship and memories.”

Erika Armstead ’12, who was a three-sport athlete, essential to the volleyball, basketball, and track teams, and a state champion in the long jump, with the third farthest jump in Division III championship history, agreed with Meridy’s sentiment about the dedication of the school’s faculty, staff, and coaches.