Recent graduate to sing for Obama

GREEN BAY - When President Obama arrives at the airport, a line of politicians will be there to greet him. When he arrives at Southwest, he'll hear a recent graduate from another Green Bay high school, sing the national anthem.

Crews are working on building a stage in the Southwest High School gym. On Thursday the stage won't just be for the President. Kayla Jenerson will also be on stage.

"I was kind of like, in shock this morning," Jenerson told FOX 11. Jenerson just graduated from Preble. Before she goes off to college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she will get to sing the national anthem for the President. Jenerson said she campaigned and voted for Obama last fall. Now, she gets to share the stage with him.

"A little anxious just because it's a big deal. And it's the President of the United states so it's exciting," Jenerson said. "I'm very very excited but I'm a little nervous. But any performance you get kind of nervous but more excited than anything."

This will actually be the second time Jenerson got to meet the President. The last time was at Kroll's East during the campaign. Jenerson was working at Kroll's at the time.

"I was like 'wow' I was not expecting to meet a candidate for President of the United States. It was jaw dropping," Jenerson said of meeting Obama at Kroll's.

Green Bay mayor Jim Schmitt has also met Obama before. "It's an honor," he said. This time, Schmitt will greet Obama at the airport. He will be joined by Governor Jim Doyle and the mayors of Milwaukee and Madison.

"We're gonna put out the welcome mat and do what we can to make sure it's a very successful trip here to Green Bay," Schmitt said.

For Kayla Jenerson, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be onstage with the President. "I'm very very excited. I'm very honored," Jenerson said.

A 2009 graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay will lead the pledge of allegiance at the event. Obama is expected to be introduced by someone who would benefit from a change to the nation's health care system.