By Imy Tabaquin-Fruto
Special to the Signal Tribune
Joshua Fruto, a freshman at Long Beach Poly’s PACE program, was invited to attend the Presidential Inauguration by a leadership program called People to People Student Ambassadors. As an alumnus of this leadership program, Fruto earned an exclusive invitation. He joined a select group of students from around the country who celebrated this monumental event in Washington, D.C.
The special delegation witnessed the swearing-in of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States and listened to his inaugural address. They also gained insights into American leaders throughout history during discussions with Chief White House Correspondent Ken Walsh, accessed the U.S. Capitol and National Archives, explored the newly reopened National Museum of American History, and visited Washington’s treasured monuments and memorials.
The leadership program was coordinated by People to People Programs to fulfill the vision President Dwight Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship when he founded People to People during his presidency in 1956.
“The experience was nothing short of memorable and historic,” Fruto said. “Being able to experience history unfold could be described by one word, and that word is unforgettable.”