By: Norma Yuriar and Kyra J. Neyland
Fresno, Ca. -
ln less than seven days, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States and a valley teacher has accepted an invitation to be there.
But Summer Vu almost missed the opportunity. Vu says she had not checked her mailbox in weeks and when she finally got around it, she received the surprise of a lifetime.
"I thought what is this? I looked at it and opened it and oh my God! A certificate to the inauguration in Washington!"
Vu says she couldn't believe it. Just a few weeks ago, the 4th grade teacher at John Muir Elementary in Fresno, she submitted a letter to the Presidential Inauguration Committee detailing the importance of being there on January 20th and representing the Hmong community. However, she never thought she would hear back.
In the letter she wrote, "If I get chosen to come to the inauguration, it will be a dream come true for me. It will send a strong message to my community that the president did not forget about us."
She says she is one of 100 people across the U.S. chosen by the Inauguration Committee. "I'm so excited," said Vu. "There are no words that can describe my excitement about going to this inauguration."
It will be a first time experience for Vu, who was sworn in as a U.S. Citizen four years ago a privilege she has taken to heart. "I remember walking out of the building after I got my citizenship and walking straight to the democratic registration booth and started registering people to vote," said Vu.
Since then, Vu much like Barack Obama has dedicated a big part of her life to serving her community in the valley. During the 2008 Presidential election, Vu volunteered her time and handed out thousands of voter registration forms to Hmong refugees living in Fresno.
On Tuesday, Vu will be one of an estimated two million people attending the Presidential Inauguration. Vu says she would probably have a better view of Mr. Obama from her living room, watching it on TV, but it wouldn't be as memorable.
"I heard people are renting odd places to stay, just for this event," said Vu. "I can't wait to be part of that mess. It sounds exciting."
