Florencia Label is originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. At the age of 18, she started working for the Mexican Institute of Social Security, as a Lab Technician. Florencia, worked for the Social Security Institute for 27 years and retired at the age of 46. Her job taught her many valuable skills, and helped her support her two children. After Florencia retired, she continued to enjoy her passion for traveling, cooking and playing tennis. Tennis is a hobby that she loves profoundly because ever since she can remember, her mother was always present at her matches and supported her passion for the game. It was a hobby that one way or another would always be a common denominator in her life.

Florencia loves to learn and set new challenges for herself. While in school in Mexico, she took many culinary courses, including a course at the Culinary Institute of America in New York where she had the opportunity to learn to make many pastries including an upside-down apple tart (Tarte-Tatin) from Chef Gerard Dupond. Little did she know that years later her love for travel and tennis would change her life. A trip to Puerto Vallarta for a tennis match gave her the opportunity to meet Wayne, her future husband. They got married a few years later in Solana Beach and have lived in the community ever since.

One year ago, she started the process to become a naturalized citizen. She attended the NCICC’s weekly civics class every Wednesday from 5:30pm-7:00pm. She is very thankful to her teachers, husband, and NCICC staff for helping her apply with USCIS and helping her prepare for her interview. She took her citizenship oath earlier this month, and is now a proud American citizen. She is thankful for being part of a country that offers so many opportunities and makes every dream become a reality. Florencia and Wayne will continue to travel, play tennis and enjoy their three grandchildren.

Congratulations, Florencia!