CULVER – In one week, Barack Obama will be sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. Many of us will watch the inauguration ceremony from our homes. One group of Indiana students will actually be there, not just watching, but participating in the inaugural parade.
With each beat of the drum, the Culver Academies Band marches on through downtown Culver, leading the way for the stars of the show.
"It's been a lot of work and we're ready for the work to pay off," said sophomore David Brown.
82 high school boys and girls are practicing in the streets of downtown Culver for a much bigger stage, the presidential inaugural parade in Washington D.C.
In all, about 60 groups from across the nation will march down Pennsylvania Avenue, but the Culver students will be the only ones from Indiana.
"I don't think words can really explain how excited I am. I think it's all about taking advantage of this opportunity we've been given," said Brown.
2013 marks the 100th year since Culver first took part in the parade. The school will make its 16th inaugural appearance overall on January 21.
"I've been riding with the same people for the past four years and we've already had that bond through being with the equestrians and being able to ride, so being able to share it with my teammates is going to be outstanding," said senior Natalie Hogan. Hogan has been riding for 11 years, but she says nothing can compare to this event.
"I feel like once we're there and once we ride past the president and Mrs. Obama, I feel like this -- it's really gonna resonate with everyone that's actually happening," she said.
It's also a dream come true for Brown. Brown has been wanting to ride in the parade ever since he saw his older brother do it four years ago. "I was given the gift to attend and I watched him go through all the hard work, and as I watched him, I was like I wanna do that, and now I'm standing here today thinking I'm going to to that, and it was a gift and now it's a blessing, " he said.
Sunday in Washington, a full dress rehearsal was held ahead of the President Obama's inauguration.
And there was practice for the parade as well. The president will be sworn in during a private ceremony on January 20. January 21st will be when all of the public and ceremonial events will occur.
