CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Norma O'Connor reviews class materials with Ana Ariza, a student in the adult education classroom at the Nye County School District office complex. Advertisement

Citizenship classes at Nye County School District's adult education department are almost at the end of their first year, and several more residents of Nye County have become U.S. citizens.

Norma O'Connor, citizenship instructor, started teaching the class informally. She was officially teaching English as a second language (ESL) and GED classes for adults, but many of her students were requesting information and help to take citizenship exams.

"I was not prepared, so I started downloading off the Internet," says O'Connor about the start of the citizenship class.

Over time, she came to realize that about 25 percent of her ESL students were taking the class as a requirement to pass the citizenship exam, drawing the attention of administrators from the Innovative Education department.

June 2007 was the first time that citizenship preparation was incorporated specifically as a class and six students enrolled. Of the six, three have received their citizenship and three have tested but are still waiting their results.

Ten students are enrolled now from many different countries around the world. Students represent the countries of Thailand, China, India, the Philippines, Canada, Korea, Mexico, El Salvador, Peru, Honduras and Russia.

Students must study ESL first, as a prerequisite if they need it, and then may enroll in the citizenship class. The class covers government, civics, U. S. and Nevada history. The subject material is very in depth.

Students must have a firm grip on the English Language in order to study it. "We help each other in here," says O'Connor.

Class length depends on the student. One may study for three months to a year before he or she is prepared to test in Las Vegas at the U. S. Department of Immigration. The class in Pahrump only helps to prepare students; to receive their results, students must wait several months.

One student, who prefers to remain anonymous because she would like to surprise her friends and family if she passes, is taking the classes because "I believe in the oath (the Pledge of Allegiance) and because I believe in the Constitution, the way it was written originally. I think Americans are one of the most wonderful people in the world."

Yolanda Garcia was one of the original six students. She passed the test last year. She is from Michoacan, Mexico. She enjoyed the much shorter line for residents at the airport when she returned from Mexico to visit her family.

She is excited to vote in the upcoming presidential election. She continues studying English in the adult education class because she found that portion of the test difficult and wants to improve to help her in daily life and her work.