Paris Elizabeth Kissel, 14, has been a member of the Junior National Young Leaders Conference for since 2007 and was honored to be invited to go to the Inauguration of the President and Vice President of the United States today.

Kissel presently attends Indian Springs School in Pelham. It was in school at Rogers Middle School in Riverview, Fla., that she first got started in the Junior National Young Leaders Conference when her teacher, David Binklley recommended her.

“It was such an honor to be recommended, and I have had so much fun over the past few years. I have gotten to meet a lot of people, and I have gotten to learn a lot from not only every person but from every trip. We get to do so much,” she said.

She found out this past summer that she was invited to the inauguration, and she has been excited ever since. While she is gone to the inauguration, she will be seeing the president and vice president being sworn in, and she will also be attending the Gala Inaugural Ball.

“I have already gotten my dress picked out and I am really looking forward to getting to go,” she said.

Kissel flew to Washington on Sunday and will be returning after a four- or five-day visit. Although her family can’t go with her, Kissel thinks she will still have a good time.

“It is going to be a little scary, but that is all part of the experience. I may not know anybody, but I will be able to make new friends,” she said.