Fulbright Junior Fellows Attend Naturalization Ceremony

LaFayette High School Junior Fellows with Judge Watkins

Members of the Alabama Fulbright Association Junior Fellows attended the recent naturalization ceremony held on the campus of Auburn University. The Fulbright Junior Fellows consists of local high school students with an interest in international affairs and cross-cultural interaction. The students’ day included witnessing the naturalization ceremony, greeting the new American citizens from 18 foreign countries, and attending a luncheon and workshop. Judge W. Keith Watkins, who presided over the ceremony, engaged with Junior Fellows over lunch and facilitated the workshop.

In preparation for the event, the Junior Fellows attended a lecture on civics, the naturalization process and the Culture Bump® cross-cultural communication process provided by Dr. Stacey Nickson. The Junior Fellows in attendance are also members of U.N.I.T.E. Mentoring, an organization founded by LaFayette High School teacher Mr. Travis Smith who also attended the ceremony. Junior Fellows will be attending events throughout the school year where they will interact with Fulbright Scholars visiting Alabama colleges and universities from countries around the world. The Fulbright Junior Fellows is a partnership program with Auburn University K-12 Outreach.

Members of the Alabama Fulbright Association Junior Fellows with LaFayette Teacher Travis Smith (far left) and W. Keith Watkins, United States District Judge (center)