Presidential Inaugural Committee 2013

Small town high school ready to march

By Paul Barker on January 15, 2013

Coming from a tiny, coal-producing county in Appalachia, Letcher County Central High School Marching Band was not expecting an invitation to perform in the 57th Presidential Inauguration. “We are a very rural school, so the thought of our students being involved in something so prestigious on this stage is exciting,” band director Jason Griffith explains. “We are excited about our students being a part of history.”

The number of students enrolled in instrumental music at Letcher County Central High was originally lacking. Through a VH1 “Save the Music” grant, the school secured new resources, helping to grow the high school band from just a handful of students to the 73-member group that will march in Washington, D.C. on January 21st.

When the school got word that they’d been invited to perform in the inaugural parade, the students’ emotions ranged from applause to tears. Jason describes it as “a very emotional moment and easily the best of my teaching career.

“The widespread misconception is that students who live in rural areas are not as worthy or talented as students in more urban areas,” he says. “Since the announcement, I have witnessed an incredible change in confidence.

Our students have a greater sense of pride and self-worth. Our parents have indicated that their students are working even more diligently in all of their classes.

It has been an incredible and life-altering experience for our students.”

For a close-knit community like Whitesburg, the opportunity to march in the inaugural parade serves as a great source of pride and enthusiasm. “The inauguration is important to us—we have been honored and recognized at the highest level possible. Most students never get this opportunity and we are so thankful for the honor.

For information on the inaugural parade, sign up here.

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Helping others—one can at a time

By Mary Naset on January 15, 2013

Peter Norback isn’t someone who just likes to sit around. A self-described entrepreneur and writer, Norback prefers an active lifestyle—and in 2008 he was inspired by then-Senator Obama to use that desire to help others. “When I began to learn about Barack Obama and started seeing him on the news, I realized he was always on his feet and moving around and helping people. I remember seeing an image of him leaning down to talk to a woman, and it struck me—he wasn’t just sitting in meetings all day, he was with the people. You could tell that he was committed to helping others, and that’s what started my commitment to community service.”

After being inspired by Barack Obama in 2008, Peter started a project called One Can A Week. For 210 straight weeks, Norback has asked his neighbors in his Tucson, Arizona neighborhood to donate one can of food to a Tucson-area food bank. Norback goes to his neighbors to collect the cans himself—an act which he believes is responsible for the program’s success. “One Can A Week requires that you go to your neighbors and pick up the food. This creates a community,” Peter says. “I have more than 100 people who donate every Sunday. I’ve helped create an atmosphere of service in my neighborhood. It is great to see.”

Since starting this project in 2008, Norback has collected almost 50,000 pounds of food for Tucson food banks—feeding over 20,000 families in Arizona. After four years, Norback has no plans to slow down—in fact, he’s working to help expand the One Can A Week idea into other states. One Can A Week will also serve as one of the thousands of community service events for the National Day of Service on Saturday. “I’m just keeping at it, and President Obama is keeping at it, and we’re both seeing success in helping others.” Help make a difference in your community this weekend—sign up for the National Day of Service.

Serve

A life devoted to service: the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

By Tanya Somanader on January 15, 2013

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born 84 years ago today, marking the beginning of an extraordinary life dedicated to giving back. In honor of his legacy, President Obama will join Americans across the country in taking part in the National Day of Service on Saturday, January 19th. Join the Obamas and Bidens in commemorating Dr. King’s devotion to the service of others, and sign up to give back in your community.

Get involved

Getting ready for the inaugural parade

By Mary Naset on January 14, 2013

We’re one week away from Inauguration Day, and final preparations are being made for the celebration. Over the weekend, the Joint Task Force—National Capitol Region and the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies held their dress rehearsal for the inaugural parade and ceremonial swearing-in. Check out some great behind-the-scenes photos, then make sure to sign up for updates as we get closer to the start of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

Obama Inauguration