Rockingham high school freshman attending inauguration

A freshman at Rockingham County High School will be there Tuesday to watch Barack Obama become the 44th president of the United States. Caroline Martin is going to Washington and the inauguration as a member of the Congressional Youth Leadership Conference.

Martin, 15, called the inauguration a “historic moment” and, the best part is, “just the fact that I’ll be able to witness it.”

“They’ve told us they’ll be able to witness it in the limelight,” said Martin’s mother, Marie. Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference participants will see the inauguration, oath of office and inaugural address. Participants also will watch the inaugural parade as the presidential and vice presidential motorcades travel from the Capitol down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

Martin is excited about the possibility of seeing Obama at a black-tie inaugural ball. He will reportedly attend 10 parties the evening of the inauguration. What would Martin ask the new president? “Who was the person who impacted you the most, who led you toward politics and wanting to become president?”

Her father, Mike, majored in political science at Elon University, and her mother is an accountant. Martin and her father often discuss politics and current affairs. Martin will also have the privilege of hearing speeches by Gen. Colin L. Powell and Al Gore.

“They’re basically talking to us about how to be good leaders and we can ask them,” said Martin. What would she ask Powell? “What’s the most important – an individual’s right to privacy or preventing terrorism?” Martin believes in individual rights, but she thinks the government should have some type of access to people’s personal records if it prevents terrorism.

Martin has previously attended youth leadership conferences in Washington, and Spartanburg, S.C. One of the most valuable skills she learned is “to listen to what the other person’s views are and to accept them.”

Martin is also looking forward to performances by rock artist Chris Daughtry and Lesley Roy of the Disney Channel, as well as bonding with the youth inaugural conference group, who will be based out of the University of Maryland. The group will include 7,300 young people from throughout the United States.

Martin will arrive Saturday in Washington. She will be prepared—with her three cameras—to snap photos of the president, her gown for the inaugural ball and distinguishing scarf for the presidential youth inaugural conference. She will return to Rockingham County on Wednesday.

“It’s a stepping-stone program,” said Martin’s father, Mike. “It takes you to various countries and events, even through college.”

Martin’s other extra-curricular activities and interests include playing the flute and playing in the Rockingham County High School Marching Band, volleyball and softball and dancing. She is the freshman class treasurer and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. An active member of First Baptist Church of Reidsville, she is the granddaughter of Mike and Maxine Fargis and Ruth Martin, all of Reidsville.

Staff Writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.