It’s 4:05 central time and we are on our way back to Nashville. We have slept most of the morning because we didn’t really sleep in DC. I mean, who can sleep when so many excited things are going on? Last night the ball was fun. The kids definitely had more fun than me because I was sleepy by 10:30. I am not as young as I used to be and that was way past my bedtime. As you can see on the pictures they looked absolutely fabulous in their ball attire. It was fun watching Precious and Kerry teach Joel how to 2- step and watching Eric get excited about the ice cream.

If you have been reading our blogs you can see how much we enjoyed our time in DC as well as enjoyed each other’s company. Each person had something unique to offer to the group to make it special. They have forged a bond through this historical week. We took four kids that had never met and watched them grow into friends in four days. I look at the progress they have made and am proud to have shared in this moment with them. Also when you look at the blogs you can see each kid come out of their shell and become more comfortable with each other and themselves. I believe we all learned something about ourselves this week.

I will replay each of the special moments we shared in my mind often as this has been the most memorable trip ever. As we return home and the kids are debating whether they want to go to school tomorrow we are still filled with excitement about what we witnessed first hand. I can’t wait to tell my nephews, godson, and the kids in USSAA about my trip. I am forever grateful that the Stafford Foundation wanted regular folks to experience an inauguration and that Rep. Brenda Gilmore wanted our YMCA to be represented. I hope you have enjoyed reading about our trip as much as we enjoyed telling you about it.

Shavicka

In the beginning of this trip I had a vision in my mind that this trip was going to be fun and cool. It turned out to be a breath taking experience. As soon as we arrived at the hotel we were stunned to see the huge crown that stood around the streets. When we stepped inside the lobby we saw a huge presidential seal. All we did that day was check in and sleep. The second day was about praying to God at the breakfast and honoring Dr. King at the luncheon. We saw Martin Luther King III and saw many cool entertainers but the one that stands out the most is Ken Ford. We went sightseeing at the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial. We tried to go to the Lincoln Memorial but it was full and the line was the longest I have ever seen. On inauguration day we watched the swearing in of President Obama and watched the parade from our room. We took cool videos of the President’s motorcade and Vice President walking. I needed some help getting ready for the ball because I had never worn a suit before. Kerry and Eric helped with my cuff links and tie. The ball was fun but watching Ken Ford perform was great! We are on our way back to Nashville (home of the Titans). It is time to share this excitement with our family, friends, and even strangers.

Joel

I couldn’t have asked for more memorable trip than this. I just want to thank everyone who made this experience happen for me. Because of your generous heart, I was able to be a part of history. I have enjoyed the trip since I got on the bus! The people were great and kind. I really enjoyed being with the other kids and Ms. Shavicka because they are HILARIOUS!!! The most memorable moment was inauguration day. It was exciting the second I woke up, including the hour wait on the boys. Ms. Shavicka and I seemed to manage to occupy our time anyhow. The inauguration day is the most memorable day because it is history. Second, I will be able to tell my family I was apart of the event. Thirdly, because I had an extravagant time the whole day. We watched the parade from the inside of the hotel. That was the best place for us to be because we were in the heat and we could see everything. Whereas others were in the cold freezing for eight hours. It was even cooler to see the snipers on top of the building ready to protect the president. I went back down memory lane as I saw the bands coming. I was soooo squeamish at the size of the Florida A&M band. (My guidance counselor wants to go there.) It was good to see the University of Tennessee band representing Tennessee. It was only right for me to learn Rocky Top since the band was playing so the ladies on the bus taught us on the way. After the parade, we got ready for the ball. Together we looked like kings and queens. The ball was a lot of fun. After begging Joel to show us how to dance, he finally danced with me to a Chris Brown song. Once we got through dancing at the ball and the prizes were given (we didn’t win Wizards tickers or the IPod touch). Fortunately, the excitement didn’t end there. We had special performances at the ball including Miss America 2004 being our Mistress of Ceremony and Ken Ford, the violinist. His performance was good but he didn’t play how he wanted because of technical difficulties. Joel even got a picture with him! We got a huge kick out of this lady selling wristbands n the street. She was so hilarious we almost bought some. The whole trip was phemonal and full of surprises including Shirley Caesar performing. All the performances and speeches were beyond excellent.

Precious

I think this is going to become the most memorable experience of my life. I am going to be telling my grandkids about this. There are very few things in life that everyone remembers and most of them are tragic; Kennedy, Columbia Space Shuttle, September 11. However, this is the first joyous event of such magnitude in my lifetime. How much can America progress in my lifetime? I do not know but I do know that this whole experience has shown me great promise for the future. This was one of the most fun trips I have ever been on. Joel, Precious, Eric and I are all good friends and we have not had any problems with each other. They are funny in their own way so being in DC was more fun with them around. The very first day we arrived I was super excited and had very high expectations. They were all met! The hotel was incredibly nice despite the awkward elevator system. Our room was also very comfortable. Joel and Eric were good roommates. Nobody was annoyed by each other’s clutter because we were all sort of messy. The Prayer Breakfast and Martin Luther King Jr. Luncheon were each memorable experiences within themselves. The breakfast highlights for me were Pastor/ Singer Shirley Caesar’s song selections coupled with her five minute mini-sermons. It caught my attention because her messages were directed towards shaping the youth instead of speaking about how far America has come like everyone else. The luncheon was too good to have just one highlight. The most impressive factor to me was that majority of the presenters were teenagers. Sightseeing was as exciting as it could be at a little over 20 degrees outside. We saw and touched the Washington Monument and got really close to the Lincoln Memorial. However, due to construction, long lines, and low sunlight (so cold I was crying) we left. The inauguration was the next day and even at 5 a.m. you could tell that the energy was different. The atmosphere was hopeful, energetic, and anticipatory, like Christmas. And for some of the older people it was a long awaited Christmas after many slow years. The streets were crowded the hotel was packed and police were everywhere. People were even cheering on the television and one lady started crying. In terms of the actual inauguration, I thought that it was pretty well planned and held my attention. I say this because a lot of official government ceremonies seem long and do not. I got really good pictures. The Youth Ball was really fun it was on the 12^th floor and everybody was really excited. So for all the good and historic reasons, it was a trip I will never forget.

Kerry

Well, we are on our way home. I’ve had so much fun this past week. There were so many important events on this trip. The most important part of our trip is pretty obvious. We watched the inauguration of our very first black president, none other than President Barack Obama. Yes we did! I think this victory has opened up so many opportunities for black youth like me. We can all look at Barack Obama and say, “Yes we can achieve all of our goals in life.” Of course the Prayer Breakfast and Martin Luther King Luncheon were very important. These two programs were the major showcases for the Stafford Foundation. I will never forget these programs for as long as I live. I recited Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Pre-Teen Youth Inaugural Ball. I then turned around and I went to the Teen Youth Ball. This was incredible. It was my first experience with going to a ball. And if I do say so myself, I looked sharp. I met so many important people such as; Earl Stafford Jr. and Earl Stafford Sr. I met Martin Luther King III. Actually, I got to have a picture taken with him and got his autograph. We went site seeing and saw a lot of important monuments. We even stumbled across Barack Obama’s motorcade. It was so amazing! Even better, I got to blog for the first time. So to conclude, I hope that you enjoyed reading my blogs. I know that I had fun writing. This was definitely the experience of a lifetime.

Eric

I believe the world stood still today at this moment ...

This is what I was thinking at 11:55 until President Elect Obama was sworn in as the President of the United States. The kids didn’t say this but we weren’t at the inauguration. We weren’t able to get our personal information to security in time for clearance, so we actually watched the inauguration from our wonderful hotel. It wasn’t really a problem because we watched it on really nice televisions with everyone else at our hotel. There are many things I will remember but I think I will remember the roar of the crowds when Obama was introduced to the audience. Also, when he was sworn in, everyone stood up and started clapping and cheering. You would have thought we were at the Titans-Ravens game a couple weeks ago. (Sorry Titans fans!) Instead we were witnessing one of the most historical moments in our life times. When the crowd was told to stand for the actual swearing in people at the hotel stood, too. The police officers took off their hats and everything. There are two people that stand out in my mind during the ceremonies. There was an older African American woman crying from the moment the ceremony started until it was over. I could only imagine what she has seen in her lifetime and what she was thinking of at that exact moment. She made me think of my grandmother who passed in June. She could care less about politics but other people’s victories were her own. There was also a young Caucasian American that was there to cover the day. She cried as soon as Pres. Obama was sworn in and didn’t stop until she had to leave. I really think she forgot she was there to get a story. It was a very personal moment for her. My morning was exciting. I am forever grateful to everyone who made this day possible. To all those who fought for civil rights, for democracy, for the opportunity to pursue our goals whatever they may be.

Shavicka

I loved watching the Inauguration. Many people gathered in front of our nation’s capital to see our new President Barack Hussein Obama. When Barack appeared on the steps, the crowds in the hotel and in front of the Capitol erupted in applause. Aretha Franklin was introduced and she sang “My Country tis of Thee.” She composed her own arrangement and it sounded great. Then John Paul Stevens, the oldest judge on the Supreme Court came out. There was minimal applause for him. The big time came after that. Barack Obama got up to be sworn in. Actually, he was already the president. The Constitution says that the President Elect is official at 12 even if he hadn’t been sworn in. Everyone stood up for President Obama. Mr. Obama took oath and he actually had trouble remembering the words. After he was sworn in, he made his speech. He made a lot of good points. He referenced the Civil Rights Movements. He said that we will destroy those who want to destroy the world. The most important thing he said was a man like his father, who 60 years ago would not be served coffee at a lunch counter, and now we have a new Black president!

Eric