On October 24, 2008 Villa Montessori of Phoenix and Mission Montessori Academy of Scottsdale launched Citizenship Counts’ pilot program.  Villa and Mission students recently completed The Path to Citizenship curriculum which teaches them about the history and diversity of immigration in the United States, the naturalization process and the rights, responsibilities and privileges that are associated with American citizenship. Upon completion of the curriculum, the students worked together to plan a naturalization ceremony that would be meaningful for the new Americans. Their hard work and effort culminated in a most special naturalization ceremony that was held on Monday, March 23, 2009 at The Phoenix Convention Center. The ceremony was officiated by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Author, humanitarian, and Holocaust survivor Gerda Weissmann Klein and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne both delivered inspirational speeches to the new Americans and the others in attendance.