A Wood River High School senior will get to see history in the making when America's first black president is sworn into office on Jan. 20.
"I've always been a huge supporter of Obama," said 17-year-old Rosalie 'Rosie' Bauer. "It's going to be such an experience to watch the first black president sworn in."
Bauer, who lives in Hailey, has been invited to participate in inauguration events for President-elect Barack Obama through the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, which will be convened Jan. 17-21 in Washington, D.C. Keynote speakers include Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, former Vice President Al Gore and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
As part of the conference, Bauer and other conference attendees have been invited to witness the swearing in of Obama and his inaugural address, to watch the presidential motorcade and parade and to attend an inaugural ball later that evening.
The four-day conference, designed to help participants develop leadership and citizenship, will also include various educational sessions. Topics include presidential politics and presidential campaign strategy.
Bauer explained that she was invited to participate in the conference because of her involvement in October 2007 in the National Young Leaders Conference, which was also held in Washington, D.C. Bauer was nominated for that event by Larry Barnes, a teacher at Wood River High School.
"I'm really honored that I was selected," Bauer said. "It should be quite an experience."
She said she hadn't yet decided what to wear to the inaugural ball.
"A fancy dress—I'm not sure which one yet."
Bauer, a high school honor student, is also a member of the Wood River High School tennis team.
She hasn't decided where to go to college but plans to major in oceanography or marine biology.
Dems plan local ball
Feeling left out because you can't afford to travel to Washington, D.C., for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration? The Blaine County Democrats is selling tickets to a gala "inauguration ball" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Limelight Room in the Sun Valley Inn.
The event will feature a live band, light hors d'oeuvres, a no-host bar and a giant-screen television with a live link to the goings-on in Washington. Dress is "Ketchum black-tie."
Tickets are $35. They are available at Notes Music in Hailey and Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum.
Rosie Bauer, a Wood River High senior, will be in Washington for Barack Obama’s inauguration. Photo by Willy Cook
