South Cobb teen to cruise D.C. parade in soapbox

The presidential inaugural parade is an American tradition that this year will feature an all-American element — a soapbox derby car transporting South Cobb High School Blue Eagle marching band drummer Devin Robinson.

Devan Seabaugh, the man who brought soapbox derby racing to Marietta, donated the car after learning of the band’s search for a special vehicle to carry 14-year-old Devin, who has a rare neuromuscular disease. The band was selected to march in President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural parade in Washington on Jan. 20.

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Devan Seabaugh is the man who brought soapbox derby racing to Marietta. This is the car a South Cobb High School band member will ride during Barack Obama’s inauguration.

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The vehicle had to meet certain specifications to be bused to Washington and accommodate the drums, drummer and his assistant. A special handle will be installed to allow Devin’s father, Gerald D. Robinson, to push him along the parade route.

Seabaugh looked on the wall of his office at Metro Atlanta Ambulance Service, where he is vice president, and studied the picture of himself in a soapbox derby car built for an adult.

“I said, ‘This would work.’ I’ve got this car I built for adults to race. It’s called a celebrity car for people like the mayor to race to open the soapbox derby,” Seabaugh said.

A former president of the Marietta Kiwanis Club, he persuaded the club to sponsor soapbox derby racing in Marietta.

“Soapbox derby is an all-American pastime anyway. It’s very fitting for it to be a part of the parade,” Seabaugh said.

For Seabaugh, who has four children who are soapbox derby racing champs, it’s secondary that his car — which needs just a few modifications — will become part of history.

“What excites me,” he said, “is this kid is going to have the opportunity to participate in this thing.”

Band director Zach Cogdill saw the car Tuesday night. “It’s perfect,” he said. “It can not be more perfect. It’s exactly what I wanted. It fits in with the parade. It fits in with the nostalgia of the event.”

Michael Feldberg of Color Spot is donating a banner to wrap the band’s 30-foot trailer for the trip to Washington. When he heard of the need for a special car, Feldberg broadcast an e-mail appeal written by Cogdill, and Seabaugh responded.

Feldberg has volunteered to have another banner designed to wrap the soapbox derby car to give it its own South Cobb High School Blue Eagle identity.

“This car is going to give Devin the opportunity he deserves to be a part of this parade and go down Pennsylvania Avenue with class,” Cogdill said.