Much of the world will watch the inauguration of Barack Obama on television today. But Madison County Ninth Grade Academy student J.S. Fielding will see it in person.
Fielding will have a bleacher section seat to see Obama sworn in. Later tonight, he will attend a black-tie inaugural ball.
“I’ll be pretty close,” said Fielding. “I don’t know the row number, but I’ll probably be able to hear his speech.”
As a Madison County Middle School student, Fielding was nominated by teacher Sabrina Howard to attend the National Youth Congressional Leadership Council in Atlanta. Once he completed that program, he was put on a list for a potential trip to the 2008 inauguration. He was informed in March that he was chosen to attend the five-day Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference in Washington D.C. He took an Amtrak train to Washington on Friday and will come back Wednesday.
While at the conference, he has an opportunity to hear guest speakers Al Gore, Lance Armstrong, Colin Powell and others.
“I think it’s wonderful being able to see it in person,” said Fielding last week. “The first African American president, it’s a great statement for our country, a great step for our country.”
Fielding said that if he has the opportunity to speak with Obama, he will wish him luck.
“I’d probably ask what it feels like to be in such an important part of history,” said Fielding. “I’d ask him how he plans to get things back on track and wish him good luck.”
Fielding said he plans to do some sight-seeing while in the nation’s capitol, visiting the National WWII Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.
Fielding is the son of are Dr. and Mrs. Andy and Janet Fielding, Danielsville. His grandmother is Sheila Buffington and his great-grandmother is Elsie Paul, also of Danielsville.
My grandchild wanted to go but consoled herself with watching it on T.V. I was saddened to hear her class at Madison County High did not get to watch. Had I known I would have taped it for her?
Susan