As an American, no matter Republican or Democrat, a trip to the Presidential Inauguration is the thrill of a lifetime.

“It was an immensely awesome experience,” said Trey Christopher, a freshman at Trinity Classical Academy in Santa Clarita. “I had a couple of friends with me and we were talking about how awesome it was to see Barack Obama taking the oath for the second time, and what a tremendous thing it was to be the first African American president elected, and then be the first African American President elected twice.”

Christopher traveled to Washington D.C. to attend the High School Presidential Inaugural Conference, a five-day program that provides students with a deeper understanding of the history behind the electoral process and the rich traditions surrounding the Presidential Inauguration.

One of the organization’s main goals is to inspire the next generation of leaders.

Prior to the conference, students sent in questions to scheduled speakers.

Christopher said he was excited to be chosen to ask a question.

His question was to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, who served as the 66th United States Secretary of State.

Christopher’s question: “As one of the most influential women in the world working for one of the most powerful nations of the world, did you encounter injustices and problems that you knew you wouldn’t be able to fix? How did you handle that?”

After the question and answer session Christopher met Rice and posed for a picture with her.

“I am about to meet a very famous, powerful politician,” he said. “I was shaking, and I shook her hand and I looked into the camera and I couldn’t even believe it. I thought she might be a little stuck up, but she is really down to earth.”

All in all, Christopher says it was a life-changing week.

“You could see Barack Obama standing up there, and you could hear him talking,” Christopher said. “I was so excited because we could actually see the Capitol from where we were standing, and pick out each person that was sitting up there.”

He said it was worth the three-hour wait in 20-degree temperatures.

Inauguration week in Washington was also finals week at Trinity Classical Academy, so Christopher had to take some of his finals early and others while on the flight home.