Obama Wins!: that's the headline heard around the world, and now thousands across the country are getting ready to see his inauguration including one very excited Madison, South Dakota family.

Only a few dozen families across South Dakota were selected by our congressional delegation to receive tickets to the presidential inauguration

Dr. Gerry Elpert and his wife Maxie and their daughters Lana and Brieanne are making the historic trip.

"Did I ever think this would happen in my lifetime? No but I'm glad it did," said Maxie regarding Barack Obama's Presidential victory.

"I'm basically going for all the ancestors all of the people before me so I'm going to celebrate for myself and all of them."

The Elpers and the Obamas have a lot in common, one of their daughters Lana is a medical school student and the other Brieanne, is a Harvard law school graduate.the family will attend several events in Washington including a luncheon for Harvard alumni.

It could be a chance for the families to meet.

"Maybe you never know both Michelle and Barack are Harvard graduates it's possible,." said Dr. Elpert

Its an emotional day for Maxie, and she can hardly describe her emotions.

"After Barack won I watched Roots again, the series, and just lived through the whole thing but this time it was different: a celebration for all the pain its like erased. Its like a new day: lets just start over again," she said.

The Elperts will be rubbing elbows in Washington D.C. with folks around the world, and Maxie's says she ready to be our state ambassador.

"Don't worry about it South Dakota. I will handle it," she said.

And one look at this accomplished family, and its clear we'll be well represented.