By Danielle Campbell

My nephew, Jacob Jones, was invited to THE inauguration!
Jacob, who grew up in Huntington Station and went to Walt Whitman High School, now attends George Washington University as a pre med student. He happens to have near perfect grades {the little brat!}.
Jake, as we call him, is a good kid, an Eagle Scout, an Alter Boy, a Student Leader, an excellent Lacrosse Goalie, etc. etc. etc!!!!!

But let's face it, there are plenty of "kids" out there, just as accomplished. We all know that.
However, for my little Jakie, my red headed nephew, who was shy and mischievous and sweet all at the same time, this has proven to be his time to shine!
My sister called me and I could tell by the tone of her voice--she was about to tell me another story on some wonderful thing that "Jake" is doing or has done.
But this,-- this invitation to THE inauguration took me a bit by surprise. Jake was invited because of--well--because how great he is.
Great as in being a great guy--a good person--someone who works very very hard to accomplish many things.
Wow!

Somehow, someone noticed that my nephew, who--in the great pool of millions of others who are as accomplished--got picked!
Ok, so I listened to my sister--uh--let's say--go on and on ---about the newest greatest thing to happen to "Jakie"--That's what she calls him--and I being {cranky mother of four kids, none who are alter boys, eagle scouts or pre med students} THE PROUD Aunt --------thought---yea yea yea--sure sure sure!

It's one of those--"YOU HAVE BEEN PICKED" now pay us big bucks and you can go--kind of deals.
Well as my sister gushed and described the bright red ribbon wrapped around the inauguration invitation, which detailed the week's events ----seminars, inaugural balls, luncheons, yadda yadda yadda---with the likes of Al Gore, General Powell, etc.----I knew it was the real deal!
Jake even had official inaugural outfits that he had to wear and he had to bring a tux!
I wrote Jake after it all of the hoopla and asked him to tell me about it-----

This is what he wrote:
Aunt Dan!
Hey! Yeah the Inauguration was absolutely incredible. I was on a huge line at 2am waiting to get into the viewing area. I stationed myself along 3rd street and Constitution Ave. Slowly me and my new found friends of UPIC made our way up to the front as the line became inevitably wider despite police efforts. We snaked our way up to the front holding one another very tight, knowing that if one of us let go then we would be permanently separated.
We spent eight hours huddling together under blankets and singing a number of different songs and chants. Finally, around 7:45 am the police and secret service opened a small gate right in front of us and let 60 people in at a time.
Luckily, my entire group of friends made it through the gate among the first 60. Then we proceeded to ditch our food and drinks in order to go through security. On the other side we made a run for a spot along the fence in order to try to get at least a decent view of the ceremony.
The presidential motorcade drove right by our location, down constitution Ave. and we saw Obama, Bush and Bush's parents. The ceremony was really far away and difficult to hear, but being there was an experience of its own.
I also got to spend all this time with new found friends who I will never forget. I will always remember not only that day, but that entire weekend experience for the amazing individuals I got to spend time with and the great opportunities I was given.
That night I also went to an Inaugural Ball at the Air and Space Museum that was reserved just for the students of the UPIC program. All night we joked around, danced and took hundreds of pictures.
The next morning we sadly had to depart. However, I look back now at the speeches we heard from General Powell and Al Gore in addition to the numerous seminars and I can confidently say that the experience has left an everlasting impact on me.
To finish up may I add again that my friends from UPIC were tremendous and I definitely plan on seeing them again time after time throughout my life.
Aunt Danielle I will post my pictures asap,
Ok well I think that is enough.
Love you!!!! Take care!!!! =) Jake

Yea yea yea-----Jake IS A GREAT KID!!!!!!
p.s.
This is the information on the UPIC program Jake mentioned:
Eligibility
The Inauguration of the President and Vice President is a momentous occasion. The University Presidential Inaugural Conference (UPIC) places the strictest limitations on available space and eligibility.
Participation in the Conference is reserved exclusively for alumni of the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF), the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) and the International Scholar Laureate Program (ISLP) and members of select honors societies who are enrolled in a post-secondary program at the time they attend the Conference. Scholars who have attended these programs have met the academic requirements and have demonstrated the leadership qualities necessary to make a positive contribution to the quality and integrity of this historic inaugural conference