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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Homeless feeding questioned Disc golf course coming to Cave Junction park Human remains found in burning trailer Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service Barn fire may have been human-caused Emergency services Inmates to get mental health, addiction treatment Missing Medford man found safe in Sweet Home Politics and Elections Cecil, Stricker to face off again in mayor's race Commissioner candidates Talbert, Roberts duel for endorsements Falls: Jackson County sheriff's race isn't over Former sheriff calls Winters' retirement decision 'very wise' Will 'GMO effect' shape election? Education EP school district launches new app Striving to make the grade Fresh produce goes home with Jackson Elementary families State mandates eye exams for kids 7 and younger Eagle Point School District goes silent on gun issue Environment Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt Josephine County ballot measure would ban commercial and government pesticide use Low water exposes Emigrant Lake's past Wagner Creek work would restore streambank Deer-killing disease won't taint meat for hunters State news Nation - World Obituaries Calvin Schaefer Norma Mae Prilliman Elizabeth Anne Jones Jesse Jay Gilchrist Lorraine Antcha Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Sports Latest Stories South rebounds with rout of Roseburg Ashland drops MWL boys match to Churchill Hay rallies Pirates past Henley Gadget play gives Grizz win over Comets GP dashes North’s hopes Varsity 541 College Sports Stanford cruises past Washington State High stakes for No. 12 Oregon, No. 18 UCLA Raider men win handily Raiders shut out Eastern Oregon Georgia star Gurley suspended for alleged violation Pro Sports Gordon-led Royals beat Orioles 8-6 in ALCS Donovan hits post in US swan song Birdie binge puts Laird in front at Frys.com Giants-Cards: Here we go again in NLCS Colts hold on for 33-28 win over Texans Community Sports Business Latest Stories Ranchers offer livestock exchange Lithia buys Clovis dealership Blog: When Life Gives You Lemons... Medford airport has busiest September ever County hopes to spur renewable energy Real Estate News Lithia buys Clovis dealership Rental vacancies increase Jackson County real estate sales, prices continue rebound Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Medford's Pixel Productions moves to new quarters People In Business Transportation Lithia buys Clovis dealership Agriculture Ranchers offer livestock exchange 1-800-Flowers CEO: Labor shortage an issue for Harry & David Pallet Wine Co. expands in downtown Medford Opinion Latest Election Letters, Oct.11 Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Matthew T. Mangino: Trials, pleas and the burden of proof: A search for justice Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Editorials Another View: Congress must act on firefighting budget Our View: Talbert is the right choice for commissioner Our View: Cheers and Jeers Our View: Measure 86 would allow a prudent investment Our View: Top-two primary would empower more voters Letters to the Editor Election Letters, Oct.11 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 10 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 9 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 8 Letters to the Editor, Oct. 7 Guest Opinions Mt. Ashland is responding to community concerns Siskiyou Plus Spring Bear Hunt: What lies beneath? Guest Opinion: Who's to blame for 2014 wildfires? Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Is Ashland taking over Jackson County elections? Lifestyle Latest stories Nibbling away at the Earth Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Name that wolf Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Food Community blog: Battered, fried bhaji bring street food to the table Community blog: Kicking it off, a game, a season, or a pint (How about all the above?) Apples and pears make great autumn duo Community blog: Cardamom makes proverbial pairing with pears New owners bring new philosophy at 2Hawk Home and Garden How to create a fashionable painted floor cloth Dear Monty: 7 prepping tips for home showings Harvest your frost-tender tomatoes for storage Fall is a good time to plant certain perennials Start now for a bowl of winter sunshine Health Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Community blog: Listen Like You Mean it! Dr. Murray Feingold: Take precautions to prevent home accidents Health Watch: Make TV time workout time Community blog: Do We Need Steps For Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs Religion Briefs Religion briefs First Church of Nazarene plans cleanup Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New Arrivals Still stifling laughter 40 years after 'Young Frankenstein' New Arrivals Wedding New Arrivals Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Agave offers tasty tacos Call for musicians Works in progress A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Theater Randall Theatre presents 'Blithe Spirit' A tribute to a great lyricist 'Mrs. Mannerly' is a matter of manners There's no accounting for poor manners Friends of Jim Giancarlo remember Ashland theater icon Music Benefit for Nita Day at The Wild Goose Cafe in Ashland Call for musicians A stylish take on baroque Southern Oregon Music Festival returns to downtown Medford Rogue Valley Symphony season debut combines virtuosity, emotion Community Events Works in progress Southern Oregon Pride Festival celebrates diversity Greater Medford Multicultural Fair Volunteers needed for Downtown Art + Sound Medford's Third Fridays Dining Agave offers tasty tacos Asian cuisine for all seasons at Misoya Bistro Spoons 'Get Giddy' at Porters Jacksonville's Thai House is everything good Thai should be Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Human remains found in burning trailer ... Fear of orphaned cubs nixes new spring bear hunt ... Fallen White City firefighter to be honored at national service ... Sweet land of liberty Citizenship held dear by those who recently became Americans Gladis Enriquez of Grants Pass expects to cry today when she hears the national anthem. By Kelsey Thomas MailTribune.com By Kelsey Thomas Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Kelsey Thomas Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News Gladis Enriquez of Grants Pass expects to cry today when she hears the national anthem. "Every time I hear the anthem, I cry. I just cry," Enriquez says. For Darren Turituri, his emotional moment comes while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. "I remember when I could finally say the Pledge of Allegiance," Turituri says. "I felt particularly happy then. That was a good moment." They've celebrated the Fourth of July for years, but this year Enriquez and Turituri will celebrate Independence Day as American citizens. Turituri, a counselor and football coach at Crater High School, was born in Western Samoa before moving to American Samoa at a year old. He came from "the rock" to the mainland to attend Rocky Mountain College 35 years ago, speaking mainly Samoan and expecting Montana to look like the cowboy show "The Big Valley." "I thought everyone wore cowboy hats and rode a horse," Turituri says. "But, of course, they drove cars and lived in modern homes." While adjusting to college-level academics is hard enough for the average college freshman, Turituri also played football for the college and had to learn a new language. Turituri spoke some English, but remembers having no idea what his rapid-speaking teacher was saying in his first college class, cultural anthropology. "I'm not sure if I signed up for it or if they assigned me because they thought it would be a good fit, being from another culture," Turituri says. "But the teacher spoke so quickly I could not keep up with her English." Turituri eventually graduated with a degree in applied psychology, married his wife, Nastascha, and had four children. After 25 years of living in the U.S. and building a life here, Turituri became an American citizen in April. "It feels good to finally be a part of this country instead of a temporary resident," Turituri says. "After the ceremony, I finally felt like I truly belonged here." Turituri says being in America has opened doors for him to do what he loves: mentor young people through his work as a counselor and a coach. "Being in the school, I see a lot more kids in need, and I get to help them," Turituri says. "It's just an awesome experience." While Turituri says he is thankful for the opportunities afforded him in the U.S., he is mostly invested in making sure his children have those opportunities. His son Derrick, a past Crater High School athlete, is now a linebacker for the University of Arizona Wildcats and is planning to study medicine. Turituri says the path to where his son is now would have been possible, but much harder, if they lived in another country. "That's the main reason most people come to America and try to become citizens," Turituri says. "To provide more opportunities for their kids, not so much for themselves." Enriquez, a bank teller, is also focused on making sure her kids have every opportunity possible to succeed. Her father brought the family to America for those same opportunities, but at first it wasn't easy. Enriquez left behind her whole life at the age of 16, and was dropped into sophomore year of high school without knowing any English. "I would tell my parents, 'When I'm 18 and I'm an adult, I'm going back to Mexico, I don't want to be here,' " Enriquez recalls. "Little by little, I learned the language, made friends, things improved, and I graduated on time." After spending half her life in America, Enriquez secured her dual citizenship last August. While she no longer wishes to move back to Mexico, she retains her Mexican heritage while embracing America's opportunities. "My heart has felt like I am part of the country for the past 10 years or so," Enriquez says. "But now I feel more secure. I am sure I can go find a better job if I work hard and look in the right place. I can retire some day. I will be able to secure the same advantages that the people that were born here have, that my kids have." Enriquez, whose husband also holds dual citizenship, celebrates both Mexican and American holidays with her family, only sometimes they look a bit different. Next to the turkey on Thanksgiving are tamales and tostadas. Their Fourth of July barbecue today will feature a blend of Mexican and American food and culture. "My kids know why the day is important," Enriquez says. "But we also still have our culture, we still have what we were raised with, and I want my kids to learn how Mexico is, too." For both Turituri and Enriquez, the path to citizenship had some bumpy stretches. The first time Turituri applied in 1994, he filled out the wrong forms and lost about $800. Enriquez, who had seen friends and family have to return to Mexico after making errors on applications, was nervous about completing her forms even after securing them. After working with Medford lawyer John Almaguer, she accomplished the necessary steps to become a citizen, including passing a test covering American government and history. Enriquez says studying for the knowledge test was an opportunity to talk to her 7-year-old daughter about the value of being able to vote. "I see kids who were brought over without papers when they were too young to even know what was happening. They can be such a good student and still not have the same opportunities as the other kids, or have the opportunity to give to this country," Enriquez says. "Well, if my vote can help to make a difference out there, I will do it." Both still discover small ways being a citizen makes their lives easier, such as when they leave the country. "I went on vacation with my family, and I had a passport like them instead of documentation that I'm a temporary resident," Turituri says. Enriquez says it was "a weird feeling" to be able to drive to Mexico and back with no difficulties. "With a green card, you can always lose it. You can make a mistake or something can happen and you're out of here," Enriquez says. "But now I have my dual in hand." Enriquez says she still looks at pictures and video of her citizenship ceremony, which her daughter captured on her phone. Like hearing the national anthem, the photos bring her to tears. "At the ceremony, we got to hear from all these people from different parts of the world — India, Japan, China, Africa, Mexico," Enriquez says. "We all come here for whatever reason, and we're part of this country now." "People always say, 'It's the land of opportunity,' " Turituri says. "But it really does feel that way." Reach Mail Tribune reporting intern Kelsey Thomas at 541-776-4368 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @kelseyethomas. By Kelsey Thomas MailTribune.com By Kelsey Thomas Posted Jul. 4, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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