|
Florida Builder Wins ‘Amazing’ Obama Inauguration Trip
 In early January, home builder Cynthia Russell of Newberry, Fla., was having trouble thinking about anything other than how her once thriving custom home business of 18 years, Emerald Ventures, Inc., was suffering in the economic downturn.
Then a brief essay she’d written was selected as the first winner of an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., to participate in the historic Inauguration Day celebration.
Russell, who’d never been to the nation’s capital, said the experience was amazing.
“One of the most remarkable things was how everyone was on an ‘Obama high,’” she said. “Everyone was happy, energized, talkative and curious about where you were from and what brought you to the inauguration.”
The “Your Ticket to History” contest was held by the Presidential Inauguration Committee in order to give everyday Americans the opportunity to attend inauguration festivities. Ten winners were chosen from responses to the essay question, “What does this inauguration mean to you?” More than a quarter-million entries were received.
Russell, who also owns Studio One Home Staging, LLC, wrote about her struggles as a single woman business owner who helps support her mother. She wrote, “Eighteen years of hard work and dedication is slowly going down the drain. I find myself wondering how much longer I can hold on and be able to pay my bills and keep the doors open for business.”
An Instant Media Celebrity
The contest winners received complimentary transportation, accommodations and tickets to a welcome ceremony, the swearing-in, the inaugural parade and an inaugural ball.
Russell — as the first winner chosen — became an instant media celebrity, and was interviewed by media from as far away as Germany and Australia. On Jan. 7, she was flown to New York City and interviewed on NBC’s “Today Show.” To see the interview, click here.
She also appeared with Geraldo Rivera on his television show, received a call from Ellen DeGeneres and used a camera provided by the television show, “Entertainment Tonight,” to videotape footage for a later air date.
Russell said she had so much fun being interviewed, and that she was treated so well by the media, that she joined the media committee at her HBA, the Builders Association of North Central Florida.
The closest Russell got to the President-elect was at a black tie dinner for approximately 300 guests hosted by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill at Washington’s historic Union Station the night before the swearing-in. She said that even though her table wasn’t near the podium, it was still inspirational to see the soon-to-be President in person.
A Ticket Holder in the Crowd
On Inauguration Day, Russell, along with thousands of other ticket-holders, almost didn’t get to her reserved section to view the swearing-in ceremony.
“The lines wrapped all around Capitol Hill with masses of people holding different-colored tickets trying to figure out where they were supposed to go,” she said. “I didn’t think we were going to make it in!”
Despite the fact that their view was partially obstructed by bleachers, and that they watched most of the swearing-in on a nearby video screen, Russell said the attitude of the crowd made it worthwhile.
“Once we got in, there was plenty of room,” she said. “And everyone was so full of a sense of pride; it was by far the most emotional, memorable moment of the weekend.”
A Carole King Fan
The inauguration ball was a lot different from what Russell expected. She went to the Neighborhood Ball, where the new President and his wife were serenaded by pop star Beyonce. Declining an offer from an entertainment news show to buy her a dress — if they could film her shopping for it — she wore a long black gown purchased in Florida.
“I was expecting people in big flowing gowns, ballroom dancing,” she said. “Instead there were no tables, a cash bar and a lot of people in what I’d consider pretty casual dresses.”
But she said the entertainment was exceptional all weekend. She saw Sting, Mariah Carey, Faith Hill and Stevie Wonder perform at the ball, and Bruce Springsteen and U2 sang at the Lincoln Memorial concert.
“I know this dates me, but I was really excited to hear Carole King sing at the Biden dinner,” she said. “Hers was the first album I ever bought as a kid.”
Russell said one unexpected benefit of winning the contest was the friends she made.
“I’m still e-mailing and sharing pictures with people I met,” she said. “And I already have plans to meet up with one woman from Georgia at the Georgia-Florida college football game in Jacksonville this fall.”
|
