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 Colleen and Fred Bortscheller anticipate their upcoming trip to the Inaugural Ceremony in Washington D.C. on January 20. This is the Bortschellers first time attending a presidential inauguration. [Click to enlarge] |
"It's one of those 'where were you when' moments and we'll be able to say that we were there," said Colleen, a calculus teacher at Le Mars Community High School.
Days after the election, the couple sought inauguration tickets from Iowa Congressmen. Although the availability of tickets was limited, Representative Steve King was the first to answer the Bortscheller's request.
 After obtaining two seats to the swearing-in from Congressman Steve King (R), the Bortschellers received their official invitation from President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden. [Click to enlarge] |
A packet of information recently arrived on the Bortscheller's doorstep from Congressman King's Washington office, which included their official invitation, metro maps, inauguration schedules, and a personal recommendation from King to tour the National Archives Museum.
Upon arrival, Fred and Colleen will pick up inauguration tickets from Congressman King's office, giving them a standing view of the event on the Capitol grounds.
The forecast for the ceremony in Washington D.C. is 37°F. The Bortschellers are prepared to be outside for about five hours, to stand in line, and to walk for long periods of time, as most of the bridges and main roads leading into the heart of D.C. will be closed Inauguration Day.
Fred also commented that although they will not be breaking out tuxedos or gowns for any Inaugural balls, they are both looking forward to touring the Smithsonian Museums.
"We are just really excited to go," Colleen said.
An active volunteer for Obama's campaign in Le Mars and throughout Iowa, Colleen is especially looking for to the swearing-in at noon on January 20.
"I've always been really impressed with Obama," she said. "He's a different kind of politician because he wants to bring people -- Democrats and Republicans -- together."
Serving as a precinct captain for the Iowa Democratic Caucus, a delegate to the District and Iowa Democratic Conventions, and a volunteer at the Obama-Biden campaign office in Le Mars, Colleen said this is the first time she's gotten heavily involved in a political election.
"I even got to introduce Obama when he came to the Plymouth County Fairgrounds in 2007," she said. "That was pretty neat."
This is the first inaugural ceremony the Bortschellers will attend. Yet, swearing-ins are familiar familial territory as Colleen's parents went to Lyndon B. Johnson's inauguration in 1965.
The 2009 presidential inauguration of Obama will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol at noon January 20. The inauguration is expected to draw a record-setting crowd of between 2 million and 4 million people, according to the 'Washington Post.'
The theme of the inauguration is "A New Birth of Freedom," commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
"We look forward to saying that we were there for this historical event," Colleen said.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please
From my earlier post:
"Go figure...a left wing "educator" at LCS."
Does this cut the mustard now Sentinel?
This "educator" place herself in the public eye by campaigning for and introducing BHO in Le Mars.
The Sentinel chose to push her up even higher and further into the public eye with this article.
Nothing in my censored post was slanderous.
"I detest what you write, but I would give my life to make it possible for you to continue to write." Voltaire, letter to M. le Riche, February 6, 1770
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Congratulations Fred & Col...This is a great opportunity and one that you will never forget. Enjoy your trip!
So seldom does the public get involved or serve their community through attending city meetings, serving through political office or volunteerism, however have the freedom to make comment.
To ClearThinker,
I did not see your original post, but I felt compelled to reply to your second post.
I am unsure why you put "educator" in quotes. I took Pre-Calculus and Calculus from Colleen Bortscheller. With those classes, I was able to perform very well in my Calculus 2, Multivariate and Vector Calculus, and Different Equations classes. Maybe you had a different experience?
At my college, most of the students that took "Calculus" in high school had to actually retake Calculus again, because their high school did not teach all the necessary components or taught them incorrectly.
I can speak from personal experience. When I was at Le Mars High School, the political ideologies of a specific teacher had nothing to do with their ability to teach. I had both "liberal" and "conservative" teachers who were able to teach well, as well as those who did not teach as well.
Overall though, all the teachers I had did a good job and never touted political views inside the classroom. All of them certainly were "educators", and many of them much more than just that.
You should feel lucky to have a city with enough people that are passionate enough to keep teaching children. I can certainly tell you they don't do it for the money.
-Jordan Wilberding
I can personally attest to the fact that Colleen and Fred are two of the nicest people I've ever met. I ride bike with them both in a local club. In addition I campaigned door-to-door with Colleen prior to the election. She worked extremely hard to help get Obama elected and totally deserves to attend the inauguration. The fact that of all the ways one can get an invite to the event, Steve King is the one that is able to make it happen is somewhat ironic. Her job in no way should prohibit her from active participation in politics...outside of the classroom. If anything, teachers should encourage students to get involved in politics and other things that will affect them now and in the future. Trust me, locally there are a few teachers and/or counselors who hold conservative views and maybe cross the line as far as proselytizing.
May God Forever Bless Colleen and Fred, and I truly mean that from the heart.
To Tom Stangl and no offense intended lest it be considered a lack of respect:
Most of the posts on this site could be considered "not respectful" by somebody.
Do you mean just the posts not considered respectful by you?
Can I complain about any post that offends me and you will censor it also? This article offends me. As a Newspaper in a vastly Conservative area of the country I am sure it offended alot of people.
You also said "Posting this comment in multiple places shows a lack of respect."....to whom? You?
Mrs Bortscheller is an "Educator" at LCS which is completley relevent to the ISL/Teacher Raise topic
Please forgive me as I am looking for some definition here.
How do I express an honest No-PC opinion without offending some Left-Wing...uh person?
There was nothing in my post that was any worse than what your Pro-ISL people post every day.
Tom, by deleting my post you were censoring it...
By the way I do have a RIGHT to say anything I want but it is your PRIVILEDGE to censor it on this site.
"In religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination." Mark Twain