“This is not happening, I am dreaming. It must be a dream, there is no other explanation.”

My mind was exploding with staccato thoughts.

Even though people were crammed side to side with barely room for myself, the cold Washington, D.C. winds blew through my JROTC uniform.

I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I, Cintia Vickery, was standing in front of the U.S. Capitol Building waiting for the President of the United States to be inaugurated.

Armed security guards stood everywhere, even on top of the buildings. People stood in lines that stretched for miles hoping for the chance to buy warm drinks. Vendors hawked their wares from buttons to t-shirts to hats and other Presidential materials.

In the spirit of capitalism one t-shirt vendor sold shirts for $10 while another across the way sold the same shirt for $5.

I didn’t shop. I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I moved along with my group through the masses, trying to get as close to the platform as possible.

Still I felt the cold. And still it felt unreal.

“This not happening. Okay, maybe my feet are frozen and my mouth is shivering, but this is too good to be true.”

The Presidential inauguration. A lifetime experience. And I was there. The only one from Wichita Falls in my group of the 400 Leadership Summit students.

We made it to our spot, and I could feel the crowed getting tighter; voices were louder and more enthusiastic.

Our photographer snapped photos of us and shot video of the crowds waiting.

A photographer from a Boston newspaper liked our American flag hats and captured the moment. Three hours to go. Time flew as we laughed and talked and waited.

My mind couldn’t shut down. My sandwich and cookie lunch was wearing off.  The people were loud, chanting for Beyonce, which I never understood, or Obama, which made sense.

Finally, he was there.

As the president came down the stage, I could hear screaming and cheers, people waved their flags uncontrollably. He stepped up and kissed his wife on the cheek first. The girl next to me said, “He could give me one of those kisses.” We all laughed.

When President Barack H. Obama began to speak, I was attached to his every word, listening to him make a pledge for the United States, his willingness to improve this nation.

“But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream. My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride. They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope. You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.”

Obama’s words inspired me to believe and have pride in this nation. That we are the ones who decide what kind of path the United States will be taking. Obama united all the citizens as one and made us a pack.

I was there. It was real. Even though it still felt like a fantasy.

The opportunity I received to attend the Presidential Inauguration was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity. I was honored to be part of an American tradition that will remain in place even when I become a leader in this country.