PITTSBURG, KS.--- Millions of Americans will be watching on as President Barack Obama is sworn into office, but a few local students will have a much closer view.
"We've been invited to participate in an organizational trip by a company called 'World Stride', that allows us to take high school students to attend a presidential inauguration," says Gary Wolgamott, PHS Teacher, Trip Coordinator.
The trip was open to Pittsburg sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Senior Kevin McNay is among the 15 who took advantage of the opportunity.
"I'm very excited to go on the trip. I went to the capitol once when I was younger so I didn't really fully appreciate everything that I saw," says McNay.
This time, he understands the purpose and meaning behind the trip, and is excited to get the chance.
"To actually just stand there with the crowd and being able to see history in the making is very special," says McNay.
Jonathan Wolgamott is also traveling to D.C. later this month. He says this trip breathes new life to the places he's learned about all year.
"It's something that I think every American should know, because you do pay your taxes to the government, you need to know how it works and you need to be active. I just went through my dads government class which definitely helps," says Jonathan Wolgamott, PHS Student.
Watching the president's swearing-in ceremony and inaugural parade is only part of what students will be doing on this trip.
"We'll be visiting the National Holocaust Museum, the Air and Space Museum, we're going to hit all of the memorials," says Gary Wolgamott.
The 4 day trip is something Social Science Teacher Gary Wolgamott hopes will be a memorable moment in these students' lives.
"We talk about Washington, we talk about the capitol building, and we talk about the changing of the guard, we talk about all of these things in class and we show them pictures but there still isn't that relevance until you are actually able to go and see and experience that for yourself the first time," says Wolgamott.
The cost of this trip is $1,700 per student, organizers estimate it would cost closer to $4,000 without the discounts provided by non-profit organizer "World Stride."
