KENNEBUNK — Weliye Hussein of Lewiston said Friday morning she would be having a celebration later that day at home.

For Hussein and 70 other candidates for citizenship who convened Friday morning at the Middle School of the Kennebunks for their naturalization ceremony, there was cause for celebration.

Originally from Somalia, Hussein said she left her native country because it was not safe. Here in Maine, she said, she feels much safer.

The 71 people being naturalized Friday came from 33 countries, said Immigrations Service Officer Kurt Pelletier.

“For each of you, the journey to America was unique,” he said. Some fled hardship, while others sacrificed education, he said.

“Today is a special day,” said U.S. Senator Angus King, keynote speaker at Friday’s event.

He said Maine, as well as the United States, is a special place, and while it is often taken for granted by people born here, those at the ceremony who had worked hard to become citizens would realize the value of citizenship.

King noted that Friday marked 100 years since former Maine Gov. Edmund Muskie was born. Muskie’s father was an immigrant and a tailor. Muskie went to college on scholarship and later became a state representative, then the governor of Maine, a U.S. senator and then secretary of state. He was also a pioneer in environmental causes, said King.

“He changed America,” said King.

Having the ceremony at the school was a way to show students what some American-born people take for granted, said Middle School of the Kennebunks Spanish teacher Ellen Jardine, who coordinated the event. She said this was the second ceremony the school has hosted, and the goal is for the school to host a naturalization ceremony every three years so that a new student body gets to see one.

Jardine said social studies and history teachers had discussed the ceremony with students in classes, and sixth-graders had written welcome letters to citizenship candidates.

Members of the school’s Young Diplomats Club, many dressed in patriotic colors, directed parking, guided people through the school and served snacks prior to the ceremony.

Principal Jeff Rodman said Middle School of the Kennebunks is an International Baccalaureate school, promoting intercultural understanding and respect, and Friday’s event fit into that mission.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.