Brierly Lindberg goes to Washington, D.C.

ANTIOCH — Millions of Americans will be watching history in the making on television when the first African American president is sworn into office on Jan. 20, but one lucky Deer Valley High School youth will have the chance to be at the ceremony and see it first hand. Brierly Lindberg, 16, says this is an opportunity that he’s very excited about.
“This is something that you only get to do once in a lifetime. I’m really excited about having the opportunity to go,” Lindberg said.
Lindberg was given the chance to attend the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies and following Ball through his involvement with the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. The organization is a nonpartisan, independent organization that works to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential. In support of their mission, members of the U.S. Congress and over 50 embassies representing countries around the world serve on the group’s board.
Every four years students belonging to the organization are nominated by the officials to attend the Presidential Inaugural activities. Lindberg was not only invited to attend the activities in Washington, D.C., but also a special global conference in Prague, Russia.
“We decided to concentrate on the Washington, D.C. trip this time,” Lindberg said. Although students are invited to attend the ceremonies there is still quite a bit of cost involved. Students are expected to pay airfare and other expenses once they arrive on the East Coast.
During his stay in Washington, D.C., Lindberg will be invited to attend private Inaugural Conference events and activities such as meetings with congressional staff, and point/counter point debates with leading political experts, as well as special events with VIP's. He will also take part in the traditional ceremony of the inauguration itself, witnessing the official swearing-in of the President of the United States, and view the inaugural parade as the President, Vice President and their families make their way from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.
This year the group will be chaperoned by former vice-president and Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, which Lindberg said would be an honor. The first evening’s reception will feature General Colin Powell, (Ret.), former Secretary of State and Founder of America’s Promise Alliance. During his stay, Lindberg will also have the opportunity to hear Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner and human rights activist, speak.
Lindberg said that he is also looking forward to seeing the museums along the Capitol walk. “I’ve been to Washington, D. C. before with my family but I’m really looking forward to going and having a chance to see all the museum again.”