By Joanna Miller, Staff Writer

Junior Allison Jenness of Prior Lake will get to witness history firsthand as President-elect Barack Obama becomes the nation’s first black president.

How did Jenness make the guest list?

The Prior Lake High School student was offered the highly coveted tickets over the summer after she attended the National Youth Leadership Forum medical summit at the University of California-Berkeley.

“Any inauguration is a big deal, and especially this being our first African American president. It’s a big deal in U.S. history,” Jenness said.

She will have the opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony and a black-tie inaugural gala through the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference from Jan. 17 to 21.

“I was really interested in going to this,” Jenness said. “I just think it’s an amazing opportunity.”

Along with the main events, the students will have opportunities to hear keynote speakers, including Lance Armstrong.

“Several family members and teachers said I should take them along in my suitcase,” she said.

Jenness said she thinks she’s the only person from the high school attending the conference.

“I know that there were other people invited to go, too,” she said.

Surprisingly, her upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. all started in honors chemistry class, not civics.“I was in honors chemistry last year. Our teacher, Mr. Volm, told us about [the leadership conference,]” she said.

Volm suggested students interested in the medical field consider attending.

The 10-day stint at Berkeley boosted Jenness’ interest in medicine, and now it has evolved into a trip to the nation’s capital.

“For sure, I want to work in the medical field. I really want to be a pediatrician and probably will specialize in cancer,” Jenness said.

But for now, she’s thrilled to pack her formal dress and head to Washington, D.C. to glimpse a piece of history in the making.

“Actually, I have my dress from SnoBall last year that I didn’t end up wearing. It’s kind of dressy, but I didn’t want to spend hundreds on a dress,” she said.

Jenness said the conferences also put her in contact with other motivated students nationwide.

“I’ll be with other teenagers really dedicated to [their] schooling,” she said.

 Joanna Miller can be reached at (952) 345-6375 or jmiller@swpub.com.