Kelly Sutton, a freshman at Kentlake High School, will be attending President-elect Barack Obama\u2019s inauguration Jan. 20. The trip is part of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, which is organized by the Junior National Young Leaders Conference.<\/p>\n
The conference is a part of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council programs, which nurture leadership skills in young people across the country. Sutton talked to Kris Hill of the Reporter about what she expects will be a \u201creally cool\u201d experience.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: How did you become aware of this opportunity?<\/p>\n
Sutton: When I was in sixth grade my teacher, nominated me to attend a leadership program. And it was called Junior National Young Leaders Conference. I went to that and I got a letter back about a year later inviting me to this inaugural conference.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: Why were you interested in attending the inauguration?<\/p>\n
Sutton: I thought it was a really, really cool opportunity. I didn\u2019t know what it was, and when I researched it, I found out I would be meeting the president. It sounded like it would be cool to put on my college transcript that I attended the inauguration. And this year is a life-changing and world-changing experience, so I really wanted to attend it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: What did you have to do in order to be selected?<\/p>\n
Sutton: My sixth-grade teacher just nominated me. I don\u2019t remember being an excellent student. I mean, I am a really good student, but I don\u2019t remember being over the top.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: How did you find out you would be participating?<\/p>\n
Sutton: It was a while ago. It was just in the mail one day and my mom pulled out the letter. It said 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, and she was like, \u201cOh my gosh, that\u2019s right next door to the president.\u201d She was like, \u201cWhat did you do?\u201d The letter said, \u201cGo to the inauguration,\u201d and I was like, \u201cWhat is that?\u201d My mom told me about it and I thought, \u201cOh my gosh, that is so cool!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: What are you most looking forward to doing while in Washington, D.C.?<\/p>\n
Sutton: There\u2019s a Web site where you can connect with people and I\u2019m really excited to meet some of these people because I\u2019ve been talking to them for a few months. I think I can understand and know more about what I\u2019m going to see. And I\u2019m also excited to experience history firsthand and be there when Obama gets sworn in. And I get to see (musical performer) Chris Daughtry, which I\u2019m really excited about because I love him. I get to attend the inaugural dance. I\u2019m not really big into wearing dresses, but I figured I would have to wear a formal, so I got this really cute one. I\u2019m really excited to wear it.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: Tell me about some of the other activities.<\/p>\n
Sutton: I\u2019ll be attending the inauguration, the black tie gala ball and the inaugural parade. I \u2018ll get to hear Al Gore and Lisa Ling and keynote speakers and senators.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: Are you getting any extra credit for this trip?<\/p>\n
Sutton: In school? No. I asked my teachers about that and they said, \u201cWell, maybe we can have you give a presentation.\u201d I\u2019m pretty sure I might, but as of right now, probably not.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: Are you missing any school for this?<\/p>\n
Sutton: The actual inauguration, I\u2019m going to miss three days. Then my parents planned an extra little trip where I\u2019ll be missing six days of school, so I\u2019ll actually be out for about six days.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reporter: How are you financing the trip?<\/p>\n
Sutton: I went to a bunch of clubs \u2013 the Kent Kiwanis, the Covington Kiwanis, the Kent and Covington Rotary clubs, the Kent Lions \u2013 and asked for money. I raised about $1,100, and the trip is $2,380. A friend gave me an airline ticket because her dad works for the airline, so I had that covered. I think my mom was paying for the other half of it. We got a letter with a donation from the Kent American Legion. I spoke with my junior high and elementary school PTAs and got some donations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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