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Applicants must pass an interview, English and civics tests covering U.S. history and government. They must correctly pledge an Oath of Allegiance. Students committed to attending two-hour classes two- three times per week, at sites in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough. At the Hillsborough classes, teacher Lisa Bobst described how daunting the classes can seem. “I think the most challenging thing is keeping (the students) motivated, because they are very nervous. It’s an intense process, and they don’t want to screw it up,” Bobst said. ‘To show my kids’ For Rogelio Najero Galeano, his four children and sense of community keep him motivated. Galeano, from Mexico, lives in Hillsborough and works at a swim and tennis club. “We feel like we’re kind of visitors, now, and I want to feel like a part of this country,” he said. “I wanted to show my kids they have to work hard. My daughter helps me. She’s proud of me, because I said I’m not good in school, but I’m trying.” In class, Galeano and his fellow students took turns dictating sentences for others to write down. The mood was playful. “Slow, please,” Galeano said, laughing. This interactive learning style makes a difference, Jose de Jesus Martinez-Rodriguez said. “Two or three years ago, I tried to read the book, and I said, ‘It’s very boring,’ but now that I’m taking the class, it’s very fun,” he said. I wanted to show my kids they have to work hard. Rogelio Najero Galeano, father of four For Claudia Esparza, the citizenship classes represent one more step to making her own life decisions. Growing up in Mexico, she felt the pressured to stop her education early. “I tell my mom, ‘I’d like to go to high school,’ and she said, ‘Oh, no, you’re going to get married.’” Finally, three years ago, she earned her GED. Citizenship is next. The class’s comfortable atmosphere, where personal stories like Esparza’s weave in and out, helped boost the students’ morale, Bobst said. “We talk about the strengths and weaknesses of each student, and how they can help each other. Some are good at speaking, some good at writing, but … they’re helping each other.” “Like Rogelio just applied for naturalization. They’re cheering him on.”