a chance to see HISTORY in the making

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers TRIP OF A LIFETIME—Adolfo Camarillo High School sophomore Raquel Lambdin, 15, will travel to Washington, D.C., later this month to attend the inauguration of Presidentelect Barack Obama. Camarillo teen Raquel Lambdin will have the opportunity to witness history when she travels to Washington, D.C., later this month to see Barack Obama inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States on Jan. 20.

Raquel, 15, learned she'd been chosen to make the fiveday East Coast trip during the presidential primary season. Although the Adolfo Camarillo High School sophomore admits her candidate didn't win, she's ready for the historic inauguration.

"I was actually for McCain," Raquel said, referring to Republican nominee John McCain. "But I'm excited to go, and I'm glad I can be a part of history,"

Raquel's invitation came from the People to People Ambassador program, which was founded in 1956 by former President Dwight Eisenhower, who wanted American students, athletes, educators and professionals to travel the world and learn to appreciate different people and cultures.

Raquel is one of about 2,000 students worldwide, and the only one from Camarillo, who will attend this year's inauguration with People to People. Raquel joined the program when she was 13, after being nominated by Las Colinas Middle School teacher Kris DeSouza.

DeSouza was delighted to hear the good news about her former student.

"She's so deserving of this. I'm very thrilled for her," said DeSouza, who taught Raquel for three years in a competitive speech class. "She's a leader and a good all-around person. She's there if you need the help—you don't even have to ask her; she just does it.

"I hope she soaks in everything and shares her experiences with her peers and current teachers. I'm sure she'll have a lot of stories."

Through People to People, Raquel, at age 13, embarked on a three-week educational trip to Australia, where she earned three units of college credit through the University of Washington in Seattle.

Raquel is also considering a trip to Eastern Europe this summer through the program.

At the moment, she is excited about traveling to the nation's capital for the first time. Raquel missed an eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., because of a family vacation.

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Mindy Lambdin, Raquel's mother. "I want to go. I wish they had something like this for me," she said with a laugh.

Raquel is expected to depart for the East Coast on Sat., Jan. 17.

On Sun., Jan. 18, she and the other students will visit George Washington's Mount Vernon estate and gardens along the Potomac River. White House correspondent Kenneth Walsh of the U.S. News and World Report will speak with the students about the 2008 election.

Eisenhower's granddaughter Mary will talk to them about her grandfather and the importance of People to People. Raquel will also visit the Vietnam, Korean and World War II memorial sites.

On Monday, the students will visit the city's museums, exhibitions and presidential monuments.

After Obama is sworn in as president on Tuesday, there will be a dance and free time for the students.

On the last day of the trip, Raquel will visit the U.S. Capitol building and the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Md.

That Wednesday night, she will attend a show at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Raquel is an honors student, and she competes with the varsity track and cross country teams at Camarillo.

She is also a member of the KIWIN'S Club, which focuses on community service.

"It will be fun to see history in the making," Raquel said. "It's fun to travel and see different sights."