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SCOTT WALTON |
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Local Teen to Attend Historic Inauguration
Matthew Webber, an eighth-grader at Will Rogers Junior High, will attend the inauguration as a member of the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. He will be among the expected record-breaking number of Americans who will head to Washington to witness the swearing in of America's 44th President. More interesting than Webber's participation in the event is the exceptional leadership he has demonstrated to earn the opportunity to be an eyewitness to history. Last Spring, Webber participated in the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. "The Congressional Youth Leadership Council offers educational leadership conferences for an elite group of outstanding young people from across the country and around the world, whose nomination provides them with unmatched enrichment opportunities in a distinguished academic environment," reads the CYLC's web site. Webber was nominated to the CYLC by his seventh-grade literature teacher, Chrissie Christian. In a recent news report, Christian said that it was Webber's demonstrated leadership that prompted her to nominate him. Participation in the CYLC alone does not guarantee an invitation to attend the inauguration. In order to be invited to attend the inauguration students had to exhibit outstanding leadership during the first conference, maintain a 4.0 grade point average and, have a proven track record of community service. Webber has a strong proven track record of dedication to the community including serving as a campaign worker on the Scott Walton for Rogers County Sheriff campaign. "He's an astonishing kid," said Walton. Walton said that he is proud of all his campaign workers but noted that Webber stood out. "He's a hard worker. He knuckled doors left and right to spread the message and it did the campaign a world of good. He's a great ambassador for whatever he's involved with and I think he's an excellent ambassador for Rogers County and all of Oklahoma. I expect to see great things coming from this young man in the future." In a Claremore Daily Progress report, Matthew's mother, Audrey Webber, told of Matthew's steadfastness and sense of community starting when he was only five-years old. She said that she was leading the March of Dimes Committee in Rogers County and a fundraising program that used baby bottles was begun. Matthew, seeing his mother bringing home baby bottles, asked what they were for and when it was explained that the bottles would be used to collect donations to help babies he rose to the occassion. When the counting was finished, Matthew was in the top spot for fundraising, collecting over one-thousand dollars to help the cause.
To raise the funds, Matthew did what he does best - set a goal and began working for it. Matthew organized a fundraiser, networking with area restaurants and individuals, to offer contributors a chance to win dessert for a year. Matthew sold entries for one dollar each and raised more than $1,100.00 toward his goal. Matthew is Will Rogers Junior High's President of the National Junior Honor Society and is also involved with the Safe School Committee. Webber also plays basketball, tennis and golf.
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Paid for by Scott Walton for Sheriff |
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A Claremore teenager is headed to Washington D.C. where he will
attend the historic presidential inauguration of President-Elect
Barack Obama.
When Matthew was invited to attend the Presidential
Inauguration his parents, Mick and Audrey Webber, tasked their son with the responsibility of
raising half of the money needed to attend. Given the enormous
costs associated with this year's inauguration, that task was no
simple matter.