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West Philly student to sit with first lady

Last September, West Philadelphia High student Brandon Ford and his team of automotive engineers traveled to the nation's capital to listen to President Obama talk about the importance of science.

It was right up his block. A leader of the West Philly Hybrid X Team at the school, Brandon, knew all about the advantages of the sciences.

At the White House, his classmates and teachers entered the air tight security typical of the president's lair. Then came his turn. To his dismay, Brandon, 16, a junior, had forgotten his ID at home and had to be turned away.

As a consolation, White House officials promised the teen they'd make it up to him, said district spokeswoman Shana Kemp.

On Tuesday, as the president addresses the nation during his second State of the Union Address, Brandon and his mom, will be seated in First Lady Michelle Obama's box.

Joining him, are 20 others, including business owners, injured war veterans and the parents of Christina Taylor, the 9-year-old girl granddaughter of former Phillies manager Dallas Green, who was killed when a gunman opened fire on U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson earlier this month.