Being Present At Inauguration Unlike Any Other Experience

Standing in the freezing cold weather, waiting for President Clinton to take his Oath of Office, I reviewed the week and still found it a blur.

Meeting Olympic gold medalists, senators, White House officials, going to ceremonies, balls, museums and much more, all left me dizzy.

On Jan. 18th, as I stood on the deck of the boat on the Potomac River watching the city’s fireworks show, I realized how lucky I was.

I was lucky to be one of the 350 students in the nation invited to the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. I was lucky to be sponsored by friends, family and the Hillyard Rotary Club for my tuition.

Most of all, while standing there in minus 10 degree weather, watching the awesome display, listening to Neil Diamond’s “Coming to America,” I realized I was lucky to live in America, lucky to enjoy the freedom that, until that day, I had always taken for granted.

Being in our nation’s capital during an inauguration is an experience unlike any other. There is a sense of community that is only present every four years. During the week of the inaugural celebration, everyone puts aside their political views and celebrates the world’s oldest and greatest democracy.

During the festival on Capitol Hill, I went to the National Archives and saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Magna Carta and more.

We visited Ford’s Theater, the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, and Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home. We went to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts to see a play and attend a semi-formal reception, and last but not least, after the inaugural ceremony and parade, we went to one of the 14 Inaugural Gala Balls.

In retrospect, it is hard for me to pinpoint the absolute highlight of my trip.

Perhaps it was the moment that I realized that, at 18 years old, I had been given the chance to take part in something that most adults never get the opportunity to do.

Perhaps it was the moment I realized that there was nothing I could do this year that would top this. Every moment seemed as if it could get no better, and I know now that I will never see our nation the same way again.

MEMO: At the Spokesman-Review’s request, Lauren Evans wrote of her memories of the Presidential inaugaration. Evans, Rogers High student body president, attended with a national youth leadership organization.