MCHS Grad Part Of Inauguration
SELF SERVED COUNTRY IN SPECIAL ROLE DURING CEREMONY
It’s not every day that your son holds open the door for two presidents, but Shannon and Scott Self are getting used to the idea.
Marine Corps Sgt. Kently Self, a 2012 graduate of McDonald County High School, executed an important role during the 58th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.
Self was stationed at the Capitol building’s side entrance, and opened the door for President Barack Obama and President-Elect Donald Trump when they arrived.
After the ceremony, Self opened the side entrance door when President Trump accompanied former President Obama out to Marine One, and was stationed at the door when President Trump re-entered the Capitol.
It’s quite an honor for a young man who wanted to have a military career his whole life. “It’s amazing,” Shannon said. The Marine Sergeant, however, has downplayed the extreme honor.
“He feels he is doing what he’s asked to do,” Shannon said.
In addition to serving his country, incoming and outgoing president and being seen on national television, he also was photographed during his important role. U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Marianique Santos captured and published his photo in Airman Magazine.
The family learned in November that he would be playing some type of role in the upcoming inauguration.
“He gave us a heads-up,” Shannon said. Then, about two weeks before the event, the family realized he might be in a pretty significant position. Shannon believes her son was chosen for the honor because of his positive attitude and his hard work ethic.
“It shows in all that he does,” she said.
Kently, who always wanted to have a military career, entered boot camp in San Diego, Calif. After completing that, he traveled to Virginia for about two months for other training, then was stationed in Washington, D.C.
“He entered to be a Marine,” Shannon said.
Kently made sergeant in four years. He will come home in April, but his fiveyear contract with the military will conclude in June. Due to the nature of his job, the family cannot speak specifically about his duties. Airman Magazine named him a White House sentry, but the scope of his duties is more extensive than that, she said. He will be able to speak more about his career after he arrives home, she said.
His military career will open several security doors for him, but Shannon said he will probably apply to several colleges, choose one and live the college life for a year or two.
Kently, who played baseball for most of his life, actively played in high school as well. The Self family, which lived in McDonald County for seven years and now reside in Rogers, Ark., has many friends in the area.
Shannon said the community’s reaction to Kently’s honor has been very positive.
“Everyone is proud of him. He has a charismatic personality. He’s just an all-American kid.”