Pita and Omar del Toro say they were two of just twenty candidates selected for an Independence Day naturalization ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History.
Pita and Omar del Toro took the Oath of Allegiance at a special Independence Day ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History, in what they describe as a group of just twenty.
"We were selected from a group of just 20 candidates to take part, which made the day feel even more meaningful," they say. "Officially becoming Americans that day meant our family's journey had come full circle, and that we now belonged fully to the story of this country, not just as residents but as citizens with a voice and a responsibility."
They became United States citizens on July 4, 2025. Now, as America marks its 250th birthday, the Ballantyne family has a second Fourth of July worth marking.
Both are originally from Mexico, and both studied engineering. It was Omar's expertise in CNC, or computer numerical control, machinery that first brought the family to the United States through a job opportunity.
Over time, what started as a work assignment became something permanent. They followed the legal immigration process, earned permanent residency, and eventually took the oath.
Today Pita and Omar are raising their two daughters while building two businesses of their own, a decoration business and a consulting company. The opportunities they found here, they say, made them want to invest more deeply in the place that offered them.
"What we love most about our community is how welcoming it has been to our family from the start," they say. "Our goal is to keep bringing joy, hope and value to the people around us."
The 250th anniversary has given them another occasion to think about what citizenship means.
"It reminds us that we've joined something much bigger than ourselves," they say. "It makes us reflect on what it truly means to be American, not just where you were born, but the values you choose to live by and contribute to."
Above all, they say, they are grateful, and they hope the story is useful to someone else.
"We thank God every day for opening the doors that brought our family to this country. We don't take our citizenship for granted. We are proud to raise our daughters as Americans, and we hope our story reminds other families that with faith, hard work and gratitude, the American Dream is still very much alive."
To share a photo or story idea, email Delia at ballantyne@strollmag.com.
This story appears in the September 2026 issue of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club. Read the full edition here.