When Paul Turnbull places hand over heart and recites the Oath of Allegiance before Judge Leslie Kobayashi in U.S. District Court on Tuesday morning, he will do so as a well-considered first act of civic responsibility to his adopted home.
A Canadian by birth, rearing and Toronto Maple Leaf fandom, Turnbull says he is looking forward to becoming a U.S. citizen so he can do his part to contribute to a nation that made possible the happy life he and his family enjoy in Hawaii.
"This is a nation of immigrants, and I consider myself one as well," Turnbull said. "I wouldn’t be here now if not for the opportunities I’ve enjoyed in this country. It’s only right that I give back by taking part in our civic processes."
Turnbull grew up in Toronto and attended Queen’s University in Ontario, earning bachelor’s degrees in English literature and physical and health education. Traversing the country to further his education, Turnbull earned a bachelor’s in education from the University of Manitoba and a master’s degree from the University of Victoria.
During a trip to New Mexico to attend a conference, Turnbull met his future wife, Leslie, who had been teaching in Costa Rica.
"It was love at first sight," Turnbull says.
The couple relocated to Santa Barbara, Calif., Leslie’s hometown, where Turnbull quickly rose through the public school ranks, starting as an assistant principal at a junior high school and working his way to superintendent of the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District.
In 2013 the Turnbulls, who included a daughter, Gabrielle, moved to Honolulu, where Turnbull became president and CEO of Mid-Pacific Institute.
Turnbull said his wife and daughter took quickly to island life. He says that Hawaii bears uncanny resemblance to his hometown, a multicultural city where kids also call their adult neighbors uncle and auntie.
In Hawaii, Turnbull was also reminded of the original promise of America.
"There is something quintessential about the American experience that some individuals on the mainland may have forgotten," Turnbull said. "The original intent of the founding fathers was to create a better day for our families in a place in which diversity of thought, ideas and experiences makes us better as a whole. I see that here."
In preparation for his naturalization, Turnbull got assistance from his daughter’s fifth-grade class, which produced study videos. Those students will be on hand to witness Turnbull’s big moment.
Turnbull can’t help but look ahead.
"Voting is going to be really cool," he says. "And I expect to get a lot of calls for jury duty."
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Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
