Northside High Student to Attend Presidential Inauguration
WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – When President Obama gets sworn in for a second term, one student from Warner Robins will be there to witness it.
Jasmine West at Northside High School was invited to attend this year's presidential inauguration.
When President Obama took office four years ago, Jasmine was only in middle school. Now nearly an adult, the 17-year-old is preparing to embark on a trip of presidential proportions.
"I think I will be speechless," Jasmine said, "I don't know what to say except for 'hey'."
The Northside High student was selected to attend the inauguration in conjunction with the High School Presidential Inaugural Conference. The organization chooses students based on grades, extracurricular activities and teacher recommendations. Jasmine along, with several other students, will have an opportunity to meet the president and attend the inaugural ball.
But at first, Jasmine wasn't thrilled about her new adventure. The High School Presidential Inaugural Conference doesn't cover all the costs, and Jasmine was afraid her parents couldn't foot the bill. So she hid the invitation.
"She threw the first letter in the trash," said Jasmine's father Garnet West.
Garnet was determined to make sure his daughter didn't miss out on this amazing opportunity. The West family worked together to raise money for Jasmine. Now Garnet's daughter is on her way to a day full of ceremony and pageantry on Capitol Hill.
For more information on the High School Presidential Inaugural Conference, visit the website at http://www.inauguralscholar.com/high-school/. Anyone interested in helping fund Jasmine's trip is asked to contact the family at (478)-225-9956.
