Cadott community hails its newest U.S. citizen
By Ginna Young
It’s something most people don’t even think about. They wake up, put their feet on the floor and go about their day, without ever acknowledging that they are United States citizens. For Cadott resident Zena Besiri, she knew something was missing from her life, after immigrating when she was 19, from Macedonia (formerly Yugoslavia).
This past Feb. 18, after taking and passing her citizenship class, Zena was sworn in as a U.S. citizen.
“Zena did something most of us take for granted,” said Tracy Riedel, representative of the Cadott American Legion Auxiliary.
Zena came to this country, after meeting her husband, Tim, who returned to Macedonia for visit, after his family immigrated to the United States when he was eight. The couple settled in Chicago, Ill., then moved to Cadott, in 2018, when an opportunity came to operate the Cadott Family Restaurant.
When she came to the United States, Zena says she learned English through conversations with people, instead of formal classes. Once Zena decided she was ready to take the citizenship test, between studying and the actual test, it took about a year’s process, because of COVID-19.
“I’ve been here for so long and I thought, let’s do it,” said Zena.
Becoming a citizen required a lot of paperwork and studying, as well as a $700 fee. Zena was also required to know U.S. history, the principles of American democracy, governmental function, and rights and responsibilities, as part of the 100 questions she had to answer.
She also had to read a paragraph and write a sentence, to demonstrate her proficiency in English.
“That hard work and dedication, should be a reminder to us, of how precious it is, to be a United States citizen, of the greatest country in the world,” said Riedel.
To recognize her accomplishment, the Auxiliary, Cadott American Legion and Cadott VFW, held a ceremony June 25, where Zena was presented with an American flag and showered with congratulations.
Zena said becoming a U.S. citizen is always something she wanted to do.
“It was not easy, but when you do something with your heart, you do it,” said Zena.
