Photo by Joye~Here’s a list of the D.C. residents who will be sitting with First Lady Michelle Obama tonight during President Barack Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress, according to information provided by the White House.
- Elizabeth Carballo, Student Carballo is a junior at Roosevelt Senior High School in Washington, D.C. She plans to go to college and is currently interested in studying business.
- Victoria Kirby, Student Kirby is a senior at Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications who will be graduating this year with a B.A. in communications and culture. Kirby is an undergraduate student member of the Howard University Board of Trustees, works as a program assistant for the Walter H. Annenberg Honors Program, and is a recipient of one of the Educational Testing Service’s Presidential Scholars awards.
- General Alfonso E. Lenhardt, US Army The Honorable Al Lenhardt has been the CEO of the non-profit National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) since May 2004. On September 4, 2001, he was appointed the 36th Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate and became the first African American to serve as an officer of the Congress. He also served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Council on Foundations.
- Roxanna Garcia Marcus, Development Manager, Year Up Marcus joined the Year Up team in July 2008 as the Development Manager. A Florida native, she first came to the DC area when she served as an AmeriCorps member with City Year. A first-generation American, Roxanna said she was drawn to the opportunity to give back to her community and country in a meaningful and lasting way. … At Year Up, she works with other members of the development team to support the site through grant writing, individual solicitations and other fundraising opportunities.
- Akrem Muzemil, Student Muzemil is a sophomore at Benjamin Banneker High School in Washington,D.C. He plans to attend college and is currently interested in studying engineering.
- Sergeant John E. Rice, USMC Sgt Rice was born in Bethesda, MD and graduated from East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill, NC. He attended the University of Maryland from 2003 to 2005. … Rice’s Company deployed to Iraq in April 2008. He was injured when a landmine exploded while on a foot patrol on July 10, 2008. While receiving treatment at NNMC, Bethesda Cpl Rice was promoted to Sgt. His personal decorations consist of Letter of Appreciation, National Defense, Global War on Terror, Sea Service Deployment, Iraq Campaign, Navy Achievement and Purple Heart.
- Juan Francisco Rodriguez, Student
Rodriguez is a sophomore at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington,D.C. He plans to attend college and is currently interested in studying mechanics and engineering. - Alvaro Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Mary’s Center
Simmons began serving as the Chief Operating Officer of Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Care in early 2006. Alvaro has 18 years experience in the health care field, in addition to nearly 20 years as an educator in New York public schools and colleges. In his professional roles at various medical centers and hospitals, Alvaro has led multiple units working toward the best health care of patients in obstetrics, drug use treatment, mental health, and adolescent health units. On February 10, 2009 the Center hosted First Lady Michelle Obama for her first official visit to a nonprofit organization in the District.
