Hundreds of South Chicago schoolchildren participated in this “sky art” project depicting President-elect Barack Obama.

Daniel Dancer/Special to the Journal-World

Speakers line the stage as preparations are underway for the inauguration Monday in Washington.

AP Photo

Joe Cantwell of Denver, Colo., shoots a photo as he stands on the National Mall near the Capitol, Monday in Washington.

AP Photo

Edwardsville resident Tim Kelly poses with son Tyler Kelly, who is a junior at Bonner Springs High School, and their bass drums from their drum kits. Tim Kelly plays drums for the band The Groove Pilots and Tyler followed in his father’s footsteps and play’s drums for the band Mr. Fish.

The Associated Press

Mike Sweeney, right, grandfather of Edwardsville resident Tim Kelly, plays drums with Kelly’s cousin, Joe Sweeney, left, and Kelly’s uncle, Ray Sweeney in 1980.

Special to the Journal-World

People cross 17th Street on the National Mall carrying an inaugural shopping bag with the image of President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, Monday.

AP Photo

Violinist Itzahk Perlman, left, talks with cellist Yo-Yo Ma as they rehearse at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

The Associated Press

Singer James Taylor walks down the steps at the podium area outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

AP Photo

U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., takes a photo from the podium outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Monday, a day before the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama.

AP Photo

President elect Barack Obama paints a room Monday as he visits Sasha Bruce House, a shelter for teens, in Washington.

The Associated Press

President elect Barack Obama paints a wall Monday during a visit to Sasha Bruce House, a shelter for teens, in Washington.

AP Photo

Kansas forward Mario Little swings around Texas A&M guard Derrick Roland for a bucket during the first half Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas guard Sherron Collins elevates for a three over Texas A&M guard Dash Harris during the first half Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas City Royals great George Brett talks basketball during the second half Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Nick Krug

Fans in the student section hold up letters to spell the phrase "Ain't No Seats." Students holding the letters said the phrase referenced a quote from Kansas guard Sherron Collins during his freshman year after a professor had asked him to move to the front of class in which Collins noted the lack of seating.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kansas center Cole Aldrich dunks on the Texas A&M defense during the first half Monday, Jan. 19, 2009 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Photo by Nick Krug

Kenyans dance in the village of Kogelo, Kenya, Monday Jan. 19, 2009, to celebrate the uforthcoming inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. As Obama stands on the verge of becoming the first black U.S. president Tuesday, he represents the pinnacle of a five-decade long struggle that stretches back to segregation.

AP Photo/Riccardo Gangale

A group of children try to hit a target with their handmade straw-rockets during the third annual 4-H Project Skill-a-thon at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Monday. Activities included making birdhouses, weaving, macrame and other arts and crafts.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Baylee Wulfkuhle, 7, Berryton, paints a birdhouse that she made during the third annual 4-H Project Skill-a-thon at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Monday

Photo by Mike Yoder

Paintbrushes frame Tracy Neis, 9, Eudora, as she paints a birdhouse she constructed during the third annual 4-H Project Skill-a-thon at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Monday. Activities included making birdhouses, weaving, macrame and other arts and crafts.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Billy Johnson, far left, of Charlotte, N.C., photographs General Mealer, right, with his grandsons Daryll Mealer, 7, second from left, and Jason Mealer, 6, with a cardboard cutout of President-elect Barack Obama on the National Mall in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. The Mealers are from Carry, N.C.

AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

A group of students from Bellarmine Jefferson High School from Burbank, Calif., pose for pictures in front of the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, where the swearing in for President-elect Barack Obama will take place on Tuesday.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Najai Johnson,4, left, and her brother Dionta Johnson Jr., 4, sleep on a bus as they travel from Washington to Atlanta on a charter bus, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009

AP Photo/John Bazemore

Palestinian boys play on the rubble of a destroyed house after the Israeli army operation in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. A senior European Union official said Monday that she expected humanitarian aid to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip to flow quickly but signaled that reconstruction of buildings and infrastructure would not begin as long as the militant Hamas group rules there.

AP Photo / Khalil Hamra