In The News

By EDWIN QUARLES
Lufkin's Claire Cumbie and Stephanie Sullivan made the trip to Washington, D.C., to be part of the festivities leading up to Barack Obama's presidential inauguration today. The two girls, members of the Kilgore Rangerettes, performed at the Black Tie & Boots Ball Monday night at the Gaylord Hotel in front of 11,000 guests.

The Texas Black Tie & Boots ball is thrown by native Texans wanting to celebrate their state on a Texas scale.
Cumbie and Sullivan, a sophomore lieutenant for the Rangerettes, got to greet guests as they entered the ball.

"We got to meet a lot of people and we thought after we greeted everyone that we'd have to wait somewhere until time for us to perform, but we got to be in the ballroom and meet a lot more people," Cumbie said.

The Rangerettes got to see actor Denzel Washington and also saw Neal McCoy perform. According to Cumbie's mother, Jennifer, McCoy kept pointing at Claire during his performance.

Sullivan said it's been a great experience being in D.C.

"We've gotten to see a lot of things and had free time to tour, and it's been a really good trip," Sullivan said.

Both Sullivan and Cumbie were appreciative of U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler), who came aboard the Rangerettes' charter bus after their performance.

"He got on the bus as we were leaving and told us how proud he was of us for performing," Sullivan said, "and that meant a lot to all of us."
Other performers at the event included Jack Ingram and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

The Rangerettes have been in D.C. since Friday, and Cumbie said it's obvious that the number of people there has grown.

"It was a little crowded our first day here, but each day there are more and more people," Cumbie said. "You can really tell in the restaurants, and there are police and security on every street corner."

Sullivan, who has been to D.C. before, said she can tell the difference this time.

"It's crazy here. We went to the National Mall for the concert and there were people everywhere," Sullivan said. "We were at least half a mile away watching everything on big screens. We were near the Washington monument and the performers were at the Lincoln Memorial."

Both ladies recognize the significance of this inauguration, with Obama being the first African-American president.

"It's so real because we're here witnessing it," Cumbie said. "You can definitely tell it's a huge deal in the city. I can't believe I'm here. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be at something like this. It's awesome."

Sullivan said she hadn't thought about the significance of it until they arrived Friday.

"I honestly hadn't thought about it until we got here, but when we started hearing the speakers and about how Martin Luther King stood on the same steps talking about change, it hit me," Sullivan said. "I know if I wasn't a Rangerette I wouldn't be here. Being here and knowing how historic this is, it's a big deal."

Cumbie said she stayed in her room Tuesday to watch the inauguration.

"It's neat to know that we were so close to what was happening," Cumbie said. "We really got a chance to take in what a huge event this is."