Freshman to travel to D.C. for inauguration

Student will also meet President-elect Obama

By: Brittni Garcia / Campus Editor

Posted: 11/17/08

Sherell Cannon will see President-elect Barack Obama in person in January in Washington, D.C.

Cannon, a freshman biological sciences major, will be among the few Americans who will be attending the 2009 Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2009.

Cannon will be able to go because of the National Young Leaders Conference - a nomination selection in her junior year of high school.

The National Young Leaders Conference gives high-achieving high school students a chance to understand their roles in democracy and where they stand in leadership around the country.

They are invited to Washington for a week where they are ideally inspired and motivated by several tours, conferences, meetings and one-on-one conversations with members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

When Cannon was selected to go, she attended the September 2007 session where she met with U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, an Illinois Democrat.

She visited sites such as the Lincoln Memorial Monument, Washington Monument, the White House and the U.S. Capitol Building.

While in D.C. in 2007, Cannon said she and the other three high school students from Illinois were disappointed they could not meet with Obama.

"We were a bit disappointed we didn't get to sit down and speak with him, but we understood he was on his campaign trail in Atlanta with the family," Cannon said.

Cannon was selected to go to the program through the nomination of Roscoe Dowell, Cahokia High School athletic director, because of her performance in the classroom, being a part of the National Honor Society, her ability to work with the community, volunteering and her passion to succeed in life.

Now that she is a National Young Leader alumna, she was chosen to be a part of Inauguration Day because of her performance at the first conference she attended.

Cannon said she is happy, excited and thrilled to be a part of this historical event.

"I feel I have made my family proud, especially because of my background and my mother, who is no longer with us," Cannon said. "I feel she is looking down, and I don't think she would ever fathom this history."

Cannon is proud of herself for making it to college, but even more proud of being able to go to the capital.

With her opportunities so far, Cannon recently created the Save the Baby Foundation. This organization is an outreach program that will tutor and mentor children born with distressing conditions.

"It's a blessing from God and with God anything is possible," Cannon said. "I never thought I would end up here, being born to conditions that did not allow me to stay at home with my biological mother, and being raised by my grandmother."

When she was a baby, her grandmother adopted her and her twin brother because of issues with Cannon's mother.

Her grandmother, Susie Cannon, raised her to never take no as an answer and to do the best she can.

When Susie Cannon found out about Sherell Cannon's January plans, she was in awe.

"I can't get over it," Susie Cannon said. "It hasn't hit me, and no words in the dictionary can describe my feelings."

Pam Manning, Cahokia High School principal, said Sherell Cannon is the epitome of a young lady.

She was Cannon's principal from the sixth grade through her senior year of high school. Manning said Cannon is determined in life.

"She is phenomenal and very deserving of this," Manning said. "I am very proud we are having a Cahokia High School (alumna) going there."

When she goes to the inauguration celebration, Cannon will meet with her former church reverend, Robert C. Jones, who is a friend of Obama.

Because of this connection, Cannon will be able to meet with Obama.

"I feel blessed to have taken part in this historical event," Cannon said. "The inauguration is enough, but then for it to be the first African American president - I think it's wonderful to witness it firsthand."

Tina Isaac, Cannon's aunt, said the family is so proud of her and will always be there for her.

"I am so happy and blessed she is my niece," Isaac said.

Cannon will be in Washington from Jan. 17 through Jan. 21.

She will hear speeches from Colin Powell, former secretary of state, and Al Gore, former vice president.

She will be able to attend panel discussions and inaugural conference debates.

She will have private access to the Smithsonian Museum, witness the inauguration, view the inaugural parade and visit the museums and monuments again.

"I think my brother and I defied society, being labeled 'a drug baby' and still having made accomplishments and making it to college," Cannon said.

Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7942 or at bmgarcia@eiu.edu.