WILLIAMSON — An outstanding student at Belfry High School and a sixth-grade pupil at Kermit K-8 School have been given the privilege of witnessing history in the making today during the inauguration of the president and vice president.

Dakota “Cody” Lester, 15-year-old son of Jerry and Cindy Lester of Canada, Ky., and a freshman at Belfry High, is a scholar and is attending a five-day program of the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference the weekend of the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, and vice-president elect Joseph Biden.

Skylar Varney, a sixth grader at Kermit K-8, daughter of Megan Varney and granddaughter of Bill and Sandy Varney of Naugatuck, was to attend the inaugural activities after receiving an invitation to be a scholar at the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference.

The two honored students not only witnessed the president and vice president taking the official oath of office at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., but also heard the president’s first address to the nation.

Marguerite C. Regan, Ph.D., dean of academic affairs for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the organization that sponsors PYIC, said, “Something that is really wonderful about so many young people from across the United States gathering in Washington, D.C., for this event is that it will provide them a chance to become more familiar with and attuned to the president who will govern our country over the next four years. We certainly hope this will inspire the next generation of U.S. leaders.”

Inaugural scholars like “Cody” and Skylar were given the opportunity to interact with a major presidential candidate, White House officials, congressional staff members, political experts and other VIPs, such as former Secretary of State, Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), who was a keynoe speaker, and former Vice President Al Gore.

After witnessing the inauguration, the PYIC scholars observed the inaugural parade as the president, vice president and their families made their way down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol Building to the White House. To further honor and celebrate Inauguration Day, scholars were scheduled to attend a Black Tie Gala Inaugural Ball.

“Cody” and Skylar and the other outstanding students participating in the President Youth Inaugural Conference will also have the opportunity to explore the numerous historic sites and monuments in the nation’s capital, as well as take part in roundtable discussions, debates and other activities that will help to expand their knowledge of democratic principles and the presidential election process.

The Junior PYIC is held every four years in January following the presidential election.

“Cody” Lester was first introduced to the Junior National Young Leader’s Conference in 2005 when he was nominated by Jennifer Cross, his fifth grade teacher at Bevins Elementary School. He has since attended two conferences. The first was held in Washington, D.C. in 2006 and the second in Boston, Mass., in 2007. These conferences have provided Cody with the opportunity to explore and experience the history of our country and the paths of its leaders.

The Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference was held Saturday, Jan. 17, through Wednesday, Jan. 21. The scholars were accompanied by their parents to Washington, after which the scholars joined their youth conference group.

“Cody” currently maintains a place on the “A” honor roll of his school and is active in many extra-curricular activities. He is a member of the Academic Team, soccer team, yearbook staff and Boy Scout Troop No. 321.

He also is a member of Pikeville College’s Booth Scholar Program and the Pike County Youth Leadership Council he serves as a board member. He most recently was selected by the United States Achievement Academy as a cash grant recipient.

Skylar Varney has just been invited to be a scholar at the Junior PYIC. As an alumna of the National Young Scholars Program (NYSP), she is one of the few select students invited to attend this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Her program includes viewing the inaugural parade over lunch at the historic Marriott Wardman Park Hotel and all of the events that follow. Dean Regan’s letter to her listed as keynote speaker in addition to Gen. Powell, the seven-time Tour de France winner, Lance Armstrong, and 2008 presidential candidate, Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth Edwards. She is to attend a special reception at the Smithsonian Institution and the Gala ball later.

Skylar’s program also calls for a cruise of the Potomac River; a view of monuments and memorabilia commemorating George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson, as well as other historic landmarks. Her itinerary also called for a visit to the Newseum – the United States’ only interactive museum devoted to the news industry. The 250,000-square-foot museum contains 15 theaters, 14 major galleries and 35,000 historic newspaper front pages in its collection spanning nearly 500 years.

A bit about Skylar: She is a member of the Beta Club, Girls Scouts, 4-H Club and is into cheerleading and baseball. She also is a member of the Robotics team and a two-year member of the National Young Scholars Program in the nation’s capital. She spent a summer volunteering with the Energy Express Reading Program at her school.