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Her precocious path was paved with both opportunities and challenges, an early passion for language and the diverse influences of her native city. Gorman grew up near Westchester but spent the bulk of her time around the New Roads School, a socioeconomically diverse private school in Santa Monica. Her mother, Joan Wicks, teaches middle school in Watts. Shuttling among the neighborhoods gave Gorman a window onto the deep inequities that divide ZIP Codes.
“Having a mom who is a teacher had a huge impact on me,” said Gorman, who witnessed her ability to empower young people through language. Long before she began reading her own poetry aloud in grand spaces for grand occasions from the Fourth of July to the inauguration of a new president of Harvard University Gorman was falling in love, simultaneously, with the written and spoken word.
For the second time this century, a U.S. President takes office to a soundtrack from Garth Brooks.
Brooks performs Wednesday at the Inauguration Day swearing-in ceremony, joining Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez, the Presidential Inauguration Committee confirmed Monday.
Although he opted not to draw a hard political line with his appearance, Brooks earned praise from those eager to exit a Trump administration defined in its final weeks by insurrection and impeachment. Likewise, criticism swelled from right-wing Trump supporters who remain dedicated to the outgoing commander-in-chief.
Speaking to media Monday, Brooks a Country Music Hall of Famer and seven-time CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year who sells out stadiums with record-setting fervor described his appearance as how I get to serve this country.
Chrissy Teigen and her husband witnessed one of America's historical moments front and center. Chrissy Teigen and her husband witnessed one of America's historical moments front and center.