Valley woman gains citizenship

Born in the Philippines just before the beginning of World War II, Isabel Mazo became a citizen of the United States on May 19, 13 years after she arrived here.

Mazo, 65, was one of a hundred new citizens who attended the ceremony with their families.

The Gardnerville resident is a cleaning supervisor at the Carson Valley Inn, where she's worked since she arrived in the country.

"I'm so happy and so proud to be an American citizen with the help of my five kids," she said. "I feel different now. I'm just so happy."

Mazo's five children are living in the Valley, including her daughters Rosie, Rizlie, Rozalin and Ruby and her son, Rizidy.

"All of them are grown and I already have four grandchildren," Mazo said.

The ceremony was conducted by U.S. District Judge Larry R. Hicks and the oath was administered by court deputy Rosemarie Miller.

Representatives of Sen. Harry Reid, John Ensign and Congressman Jim Gibbons were on hand for the ceremony.

Mazo's parents told her about the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.

"I know the story from my parents and they told me how the Americans helped the Philippines," she said.