Burnett’s Blog Highlights Washington, D.C., Experiences
Austin, TX, Dec. 16, 2008 – Brad Burnett, Austin Community College honor student and president of the Student Government Association, is packing his bags for the trip of a lifetime. Burnett is heading to Washington, D.C., to experience the inauguration of Barak Obama. And, he will blog about his adventures every step of the way.
“It’ll be a real behind-the-scenes look at politics,” Burnett says. “I’ll be attending a conference during that time, and we’ll be meeting different officials, touring government institutions, and experiencing the behind-the-scenes work that makes our government function.”
Burnett, a government major, leaves Austin on January 10 to participate in 10 days of activities hosted by the Campaign 2008 Presidential Academic Seminar Series (www.campaign2008.info) and capped by the January 20 inauguration of America’s 44th president. The trip is sponsored by the ACC Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS).
The D.C. trip hasn’t been a straight route for the former McCallum High School student. Now 23, Burnett got bored and dropped out of high school for a short period during his junior year, returning during his senior year to finish his diploma. Afterward, he worked full time before concluding he needed a college degree.
“I worked at a gas station for two years,” Burnett says. “There’s nothing wrong with pumping gas, but I knew I didn’t want to do it for the rest of my life.”
At 21, Burnett enrolled in ACC. He joined the Student Government Association his freshman year and now serves as the organization’s president. He also belongs to the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Burnett finishes his government degree in May and plans to transfer to a four-year university and continue his studies toward a law degree.
“We wanted to give an ACC student an opportunity to experience this amazing moment in U.S. history, and Brad has been an important voice to students at the college,” says Peck Young, CPPPS director. “He shows the commitment to achieve whatever goals he sets for himself. We are happy to contribute to his future success.”
While Burnett will attend events around the inauguration he does not have a ticket to the actual event, yet. CPPPS has placed many “irons in the fire.” “We are calling all of our contacts in order to make this experience the best it can be for Brad,” Young says.
Whatever his location for the big event, Burnett will share his experiences with other ACC students. He is taking his camera and laptop and will be blogging regularly during his trip.
“I hope to learn a lot and meet a lot of cool people,” he says. “I want to share stories and show pictures of my experiences in DC.”
Visit Burnett’s blog Brad Goes to D.C. to follow ACC Student Government Association Brad Burnett’s Washington, D.C., experiences at his blog.
Back to Top
By Marie McKinney January 12, 2009 - 4:47 pm
Hello Brad, I am a student at ACC and I work in the admissions office. I have been in Washington D.C. since Dec, 15th when our semester ended. I came here for two reasons, 1st reason being to speed christmas with my daughter who is attending Howard Univ. she also is a soldier in the Army National Guard. 2nd reason being I am in hopes of being able to attend the historical inauguration of our nations first president of color. I say of color because this good man will be representing all of us. I will be celebrating my 50th birthday on June 4th 2009, I am and always have been a proud black woman, proud of my history, proud to have been born black, and very proud of the way I have raised my family. I was told as a child and most of my adult life that this moment would never come to pass, but I guess we know now that not to be true. I have registered my name on Senator Doggetts list in hopes of attending the inauguration via a ticket, but even if I don’t receive one I will attend from a distance. It feels my heart to see someone as young as yourself become such a strong intelligent young man, I know your parents are very proud of you and so am I. I wish you longevity in your quest to reach your goals, may the Lord GOD bless you. In closing I would like to quote the late GREAT DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. if I may. “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.” Now for the grande finale:”I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” I feel happiness for those of us who will live his dream, and a bit of sadness for those who fought and died to keep it alive. May GOD Bless Us All.
A True Friend
Marie McKinney