South Florida students head to DC for inauguration

22 students from Miami Country Day School leave for 'once in a lifetime opportunity'

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ A group of Miami Country Day School students left South Florida Thursday to fly to Washington, D.C. for President Obama's inauguration.

Twenty-two students between the ages of 15 and 18 flew out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport about 6:30 a.m. Thursday. Many of them spoke with Local 10's Tamika Bickham before they left.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to go see the president's inauguration," said Cristian Padilla. "It's literally history in the making."

The students will stay in Washington, D.C. until next Wednesday. While they are there, they'll have the chance to meet with Congressional members and do some sightseeing.

President Obama will have two inauguration ceremonies this weekend: the first on Sunday, followed by a public ceremony on Monday at the National Mall.