Saturday, January 21, 2017

45th Presidential Inauguration


 Our Songbird was selected to go to Washington D.C. through 4-H's Citizenship Washington Focus this past summer and again for the 45th Presidential Inauguration.  There were only 500 4-H students, 10 from each state, selected to attend the 2017 inauguration.  Our Songbird is truly honored to be among those 500 students representing 4-H in D.C. this week.  Since Songbird LOVES the U.S. political system and history, I personally do not know of a youngster who would benefit more from these trips.

Here are some highlights of her trip:
 
6, + chaperone, of Montana's 4-H delegation flew out from the Billings airport while the remaining 4, + chaperone, flew out from the Bozeman airport.  Songbird is on the right.
 

While in D.C. last summer, Songbird met Montana's U.S. Senator Steve Daines.  Earlier this week, when boarding the plane out of Billings, she saw him sitting in his assigned seat.  She, of course, stopped for a short visit and introduced the other students in her delegation.  Songbird is the sort of girl whose never met a stranger and if you've had the pleasure of meeting her once, you will from then forward be a life long friend.


While on their way to witness Montana Congressman's, Ryan Zinke's Senate Confirmation Hearing for Secretary of Interior, they met Songbird's hero, Dr. Ben Carson.  She is so impressed and has so much respect for all he has accomplished in his life, she incorporated portions of his bio in a 4-H competitive speaking completion she participated in a couple years ago.  She says he was exactly as she expected him to be.  I am so happy she was not disappointed when meeting this man for whom she holds so much admiration.


The students were housed at the National 4-H Conference Center in Washington D.C.  Not only do they room and board here while in D.C., they also attend various workshops and participate in mock political processes.  The 4-H CWF trips fully immerse the students in the workings of the U.S. political system.


Songbird and few others in her delegation gearing up for volunteer work at  the University of Maryland.  This week they spent a day weeding the gardens.  An activity in which Songbird has plenty of experience.
 
 

What a site!  500 of 4-H's best and brightest.


January 20, 2017, President Trump's and Vice-President Pence's Inauguration Day.  Songbird was there.  Thanks to U.S. Senator Steve Daines, Montana's 4-H delegation was seated as close as the general pubic could be seated. 



4-H always hosts a formal evening at all their State and National events.  Here is Songbird, and two others from her delegation, dressed "to the nines" at one of the Inaugural Balls held aboard a cruise ship on the Potomac River.


I sincerely hope this post doesn't come across as braggadocios.  Those who know me personally know that I share this out of genuine excitement for our daughter.  4-H has helped develop so many life skills and afforded her amazing opportunities and experiences, I can not imagine a better extra-curricular for her.  I am fully confident that Songbird's participation in 4-H has been God ordained and He is using this venue to develop attributes within her that will Glorify Him as she continues her journey through life.

12 comments:

  1. What a great trip! I'm happy she could do this.

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    1. Yes, Rhonda ... this trip was an opportunity that, most likely, would only come once in a lifetime for her. We are also glad she was able to attend and are happy to hear how much she is enjoying it.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  2. What a wonderful experience for your daughter - stories and photos for a lifetime and beyond...!
    BTW, I don't think you are being braggadocious at all.

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    1. Thank you for the lovely comment, Jo ...

      Since there were many, many unkind comments posted under the Billings Gazette article regarding these youngsters and this trip, I am relieved my blog readers are so very gracious. It is apparent that my readers recognize that the focus of 4-H's CWF trips are about educating America's youth in the U.S. political process - not endorsing any particular candidate or political party.
      Again, thank you for your kind words.

      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  3. That will be a memory that will last a lifetime! So happy for her!

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    1. Hi MaryAnn,
      Thanks for stopping by today. Upon her arrival home, Songbird relayed how educational this trip was for her. It has further deepened her interest in the U.S. political system and even has her thinking about a new educational path when she begins college next semester.
      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  4. What an amazing opportunity! I'm happy for her.

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    1. Hello Mrs. Laura,

      Yes, Songbird has expressed so much gratitude that she was able to qualify for and experience this opportunity. Since one can only attend a Senate Confirmation Hearing by invitation, she was extremely honored that Congressman Ryan Zinke chose Montana's 4-H CWF delegation to witness it. It was such an important educational opportunity for these youngsters. Thank you for your well wishes.
      Mrs.B

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  5. What an honor and a experience that she will treasure the memories of for her whole life! I'm so glad the she got to meet Dr. Carson and that he was everything that she thought he would be. I have so much respect for him and I do hope he will consider running for president again in the future. I still hope that one day I will be able to attend a Presidential Inauguration but then I also wonder if I would be able to handle the crowd around me. I don't do well when there are too many people around. ;)

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    1. Good Afternoon, Debbie,

      I also hope you have the opportunity to attend a Presidential Inauguration someday. According to our Songbird, the crowds were enormous. She said it took hours to get through 3 levels of security. Despite the images the mainstream media have published, Songbird said that by the time the ceremony began the ENTIRE mall was packed shoulder to shoulder.
      Songbird also reported that getting around D.C. was very difficult as the protesters and rioters further hindered the flow of pedestrian and auto traffic.

      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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  6. Wow that is such an honor. Glad she got to participate.

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    1. Hi LeeAnn,

      Thank you for the kind comment. This election year has certainly been one that will always be very special to her. She turned 18 two weeks before the election, jut in time to vote. Then she also witnessed the Inauguration the first time she ever voted ... very exciting for a youngster.

      Blessings,
      Mrs.B

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