Cary-Grove student to speak at inauguration event

Mike Zasadil was one of the first-time voters who helped propel President-elect Barack Obama to a historic victory in November.

The Cary-Grove High School senior was inspired by Obama to volunteer for local politicians and was one of the "nutjobs," as he described them, who stayed up late to watch the former Illinois senator's victory speech.

While millions of Americans stayed up with Zasadil on election night, he is one of the few who will play a part in the celebration of Obama's inauguration.

Zasadil has been chosen to speak at the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, held in the nation's capitol every four years for high school leaders.

The three-sport athlete and four-year class president was chosen after he delivered the keynote address at a National Young Leaders Conference.

"I couldn't believe it," Zasadil said. "I was just grateful for the opportunity."

Zasadil's speaking gig will enable him to visit national monuments and attend Obama's inauguration and the inaugural parade.

The 18-year-old Fox River Grove resident wanted to attend the inauguration, but it would not have been possible if he had not for the invitation to speak.

"I would have loved to, but it was never really an option until this happened," Zasadil said.

The Cary-Grove student discovered his talent for public speaking through his involvement in student government and the National Young Leaders Conference.

"It was just something I turned out to be good at," he said. "I didn't know I was good at it."

As he honed his speaking skills, Zasadil had a model in Obama, who shot to national prominence when Zasadil was about to enter high school.

"I always try to incorporate the things he does," Zasadil said.

But, he added in a nod to the team of speechwriters aiding the president-elect, "I'm writing my own (speeches). It's a little bit different."

On Tuesday, Zasadil will be able to see his inspiration firsthand.

"I don't think it's going to hit me until I'm actually there," Zasadil said. "It's pretty exciting to even be a part of it."

"Text of speech

This is the text of the speech Cary-Grove High School senior Mike Zasadil will give to the National Young Leaders Conference as part of the inaugruation celebration Washington, D.C.

I know that not many young men earn the opportunity to stand where I am standing. Or to hold the audience that I am holding. Or even just to be in the presence of some of the speakers that I am in the presence of now. And, therefore, I have to begin by saying just how grateful I am for your hospitality this last week, and just how humbled I am by my responsibilities this evening.

I am here after all, ladies and gentlemen, with a responsibility. One that I know everyone in this hall is familiar with. And that is the responsibility to represent. Maybe not a state. Not a district, and certainly not a nation.

But what I am here to represent is a collection. A collection of young men and women that for too long watched as their cries of protests fell ... on deaf ears. An age of youth that for too long saw their wishes taking a back seat to the wishes of the wealthy or the well connected.

A generation. of iPods. YouTube. And most importantly, a false paradigm that our right to vote has defined our democracy. And of all the things I know my generation needs work on, of all the faults that we possess, it is that paradigm that scares me the most.

But please don't misunderstand me. Because that blur of over 3 million faces from every corner of the nation and from every walk of life pushing to be that much closer to that moment in history is a moment that no one individual should ever downplay the importance of. A moment that no living generation should ever forget.

But I know well enough, ladies and gentlemen, just as you do, that democracy is not one voice of hope. It is not one new Senate, and one new House, it is not one new vision, and it is not one man.

... One nation. Indivisible, at a time when the people have spoken clearly enough that division will no longer be tolerated. A time when my generation sees hope that they just may someday take their voice, and make it matter. Because after all, ladies and gentlemen, is that not another pillar of true democracy? Freedom with direction. Because we can only hope to contribute to the society we are building when we the people decide to put our rights to meaningful use.

When we the people decide to accept that we are our own problem, and we are our own solution.

When we the people decide to accept what the president so eloquently said, "We are not a collection of red states and a collection of blue states, but forever, The United States of America."

And when we the people decide to accept that the only thing our nation will be able to count on ... is things are going to change.

Because we live in a time of great revolution.

A time when new leaders will be forced to emerge. A time when those leaders will be challenged, and a time when I know those leaders, both young and old ... will rise to their potential.

Rip van Winkle climbed a mountain in 1775. On his way up, he noticed the sign at the base of the mountain that read: "Property of Great Britain, and the Queen, Our Lady." And when Rip reached the summit of that mountain, he slept. For 20 years, Rip van Winkle slept. And when he awoke and climbed back down the face of the mountain, the sign had changed. It now read "Property of the United States of America."

Rip van Winkle had slept through a revolution. And our story holds only one distinct difference.

Because, after all, we too live in a time of great revolution.

And as a voice of my generation and for my generation, I can very proudly say:

We are not sleeping ... anymore.