They had originally come from points around the globe -- American Samoa, Canada, El Salvador, Mexico, South Africa, Russia and India -- but the men and women, 10 in all, waiting on the flag-bedecked stage at SCERA Park in Orem, had come together Thursday for the same purpose -- to formally take the oath of citizenship and be officially sworn in as citizens of the United States of America.

The ceremony was part of Milestones of Freedom at Ellis Island -- an event designed to educate the public about the immigrant experience. And although many of the event's visitors had undergone the make-believe testing and citizenship oath-taking that were part of the Freedom Festival activity, for the 10 new Americans, the testing and oath were the real deal.

The oath was administered by Don Rich, an officer with the Immigration and Naturalization Service, who said the swearing-in of the group was the culmination of "a long, arduous journey -- very long for some," in becoming U.S. citizens.

All of the new citizens live in the central Utah area, said INS official Rick Hamilton, and the ceremony was held to give the public the opportunity to see what such an event would be like.

Vijaya Lakireddy, of India, was garbed in a striking coral sari for the event. She said she had spent three years working on becoming a U.S. citizen, and had taken and passed the 100-question test just the day before. Her husband, Vijaya Kumar, said he has been a citizen for 27 years.

"We're just very excited," said Brandy Villalta, of Highland, whose husband, Carlos, is from El Salvador and was one of those receiving citizenship. "Carlos is excited to vote, and to perhaps hold a government job."

"It has been a long journey -- 14 years," said Carlos Villalta. "I'm just glad it is done. Not everyone is able to reach this point."

Martha Chavez was one of three individuals from Mexico who took the oath of citizenship that afternoon. The Provo resident had lots of support at the ceremony from children, grandchildren, a sister, some in-laws and her boyfriend, who traveled from California for the occasion.

"I am very, very happy," said Chavez. "I love this country."

"I thought [the Ellis Island experience] would be phenomenal and inspirational, which it has been," said Janis Frischknecht, of Provo, who came to the event with friends and her children and grandchildren. "I'm excited to see the ones who are going to be sworn in."

Volunteers Karen Bunnell, Jan Taylor and Camber Grandstaff were staffing the booth where mock citizenship tests were handed out.

"We came last year to see the exhibit, and Jan signed us up," said Bunnell, a Provo resident.

"It's a good learning experience for kids," said Taylor, of Orem. "We've had a lot of families come by."

Jim Keller, of Provo, said he decided to take the full citizenship test after completing two smaller ones with no errors. "I love American history," he said. "I came at 2 to enjoy the play, take the tests and make a half an afternoon of it, anyway. A friend of mine from England became a citizen about a year ago, so I got to experience today a little of what she did."

Scott Swain, chairman of the Ellis Island event, said participating in patriotic events such as the citizenship ceremony are "a natural way of life" in America, and SCERA Park was an ideal location, where people could breathe the air and feel free.

One of the new citizens from Canada, who has lived in the United States for six years while attending Brigham Young University, said there are "negative stereotypes" about America in the world.

"I was blessed to come here, and live here," he said. "I have had my heart changed to how beautiful America is. To me, it's the people that make 'America the Beautiful.' "