MONROE - A Monroe eighth-grader was among the throngs who gathered on the National Mall on Tuesday to witness Barack Obama sworn in as 44th president of the United States.
Avery Erb, a student of Monroe Middle School, was selected to attend the event as part of a six-day People to People program to visit Washington during the inauguration. People to People offers education travel programs and exchanges to destinations around the world. Erb does not know who nominated her for the Inauguration 2009 program.
Two other people from Wisconsin went, she said. The program is open to students in the fifth through 12th grades. Erb flew to Washington by herself Saturday - the first time she has traveled solo - and met the rest of the group in Washington.
The program has given Erb a chance to see some of the best of Washington: The group saw a show at the Kennedy Center, and visited Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon, although long lines kept them from getting inside the house, she said. On Sunday, they met Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower and Ken Walsh of U.S. News & World Report. The group is scheduled to do some more sightseeing Wednesday before returning home Thursday.
Even before leaving, Erb expected it to be an inspiring experience. "There will just be so many people," she said last week. "Just to see them, to be near them, will be almost intoxicating."
The actual event did not disappoint. Erb and her group left their Fairfax, Va., hotel at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Despite the early hour and cold temperature, there already were people at the Mall. She stood with the crowds for about six hours. While it was cold, she said Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial was played on Jumbotrons for the crowd, which helped to pass the time.
Erb said she was disappointed that the cheering crowd booed George W. Bush as he made his last public appearance as president.
And, not surprisingly, Obama's inaugural address was the highlight of the day, and the whole trip. "It was inspirational," she said.
Avery Erb, a student of Monroe Middle School, was selected to attend the event as part of a six-day People to People program to visit Washington during the inauguration. People to People offers education travel programs and exchanges to destinations around the world. Erb does not know who nominated her for the Inauguration 2009 program.
Two other people from Wisconsin went, she said. The program is open to students in the fifth through 12th grades. Erb flew to Washington by herself Saturday - the first time she has traveled solo - and met the rest of the group in Washington.
The program has given Erb a chance to see some of the best of Washington: The group saw a show at the Kennedy Center, and visited Arlington National Cemetery and Mount Vernon, although long lines kept them from getting inside the house, she said. On Sunday, they met Mary Eisenhower, granddaughter of President Dwight Eisenhower and Ken Walsh of U.S. News & World Report. The group is scheduled to do some more sightseeing Wednesday before returning home Thursday.
Even before leaving, Erb expected it to be an inspiring experience. "There will just be so many people," she said last week. "Just to see them, to be near them, will be almost intoxicating."
The actual event did not disappoint. Erb and her group left their Fairfax, Va., hotel at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Despite the early hour and cold temperature, there already were people at the Mall. She stood with the crowds for about six hours. While it was cold, she said Sunday's concert at the Lincoln Memorial was played on Jumbotrons for the crowd, which helped to pass the time.
Erb said she was disappointed that the cheering crowd booed George W. Bush as he made his last public appearance as president.
And, not surprisingly, Obama's inaugural address was the highlight of the day, and the whole trip. "It was inspirational," she said.