LBHS Senior to Attend Obama Inauguration

Staff photo by Courtenay Nearburg LBHS varsity basketball captain Ryan Lawler will attend the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., in January.

LBHS senior Ryan Lawler, captain of the varsity basketball team and the Associated Student Body athletic commissioner, holds a ticket for one of the most sought-after events in the nation. He's got a seat at the historic inauguration of Barack Obama in the nation's capital in January.

Lawler is a part of a delegation of students attending a youth leadership conference Jan. 16- 21 sponsored by LeadAmerica, a leadership-mentoring program based in Boca Raton, Fla. The 20-year-old organization founded by lawyer and leadership instructor Chris Salamone seeks to instill leadership traits in youth by exposing them to academic and career-based programs.

"It's nothing short of a spectacular experience to witness an inauguration," said Karen Sharp, LeadAmerica's marketing director. "It's really watching our constitution at work."

Lawler, 18, voted for the first time in a presidential election in November, though Obama did not receive his vote. The registered Republican is nonetheless excited about Obama's election and his tiny role in a historic event.

"No matter if it was McCain or Obama, it's going to be an amazing experience," Lawler said. "I think it's such a pivotal election and change for America, that it's going to be really awesome to see. Eight years down the road, I can say I was there at the beginning of his leadership. I'm just amazed I have this opportunity."

Lawler was born in San Antonio, Tex., and his family moved to Laguna Beach 10 years ago. His mother, Connie, is an educator and his father, Dave, an audio engineer responsible for designing and installing sound systems in venues such as the Kodak Theater. (A current project includes a system for Laguna Presbyterian Church.) Lawler's sibling, three-month old Marisol, has a long way to go to catch up to her big brother.

Despite a seat at one of the nation's premier political events, the teenager's career interest is international business. He submitted applications to the University of San Diego, Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine University, and Santa Clara University.

This is the second presidential inauguration that LeadAmerica has attended with their "presidential scholars," students who can nominate themselves or receive a instructor nomination to attend the youth conference.

Four-hundred students from around the country attend briefings by military and intelligence officers and government officials to learn how individual agencies are affected by a new administration. They will also meet with a senior political strategist for an analysis of the 2008 election, and simulate assembling a transition team, selecting a cabinet and determining key policy initiatives.

Speakers at the 2009 conference include Dr. Martin Dupuis, author of "Barack Obama: The New Face of American Politics", to be released in January, and Ollie Cantos, special counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the U.S. Justice Department and a two-term associate director of the White House domestic policy council.

A LBHS staff member who wishes to remain anonymous nominated Lawler. He will witness the swearing-in ceremony and attend the inaugural parade, as well as a youth-version of the formal inaugural ball.

For locals who covet Lawler's lucky ticket, political fundraiser Denny Freidenrich redirected his organizing skills to summon the inaugural event to Laguna Beach. Freidenrich and friends are hosting their own version of the inaugural gala at Seven Degrees Jan. 20 from 6 to 10 p.m.

"We want people to come away from our event feeling like they actually attended one of the inauguration balls", said Betsy Gosselin, a member of the planning committee. "There will be great music, fantastic food, multi-media presentations and live reports from people in Washington going on all night".

In keeping with the president-elect's campaign theme of inclusion, Lagunaís celebration is not just for Democrats, according to Barbara McMurray, another gala organizer. Efforts are under way to make sure Republicans and independents attend as well. Were eager to put partisanship aside as we create a historic night of celebration in Laguna.

The gala is black-tie optional. Ticket prices are $125 per person through Jan 6, $150 thereafter and $175 at the door. Lawler, however, already has a ticket to the real thing.