The Saint Andrews School eighth-grader was one of 400 middle-school students from across the country who attended the Junior Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference. Because Mimi was nominated to attend a Junior National Leadership Conference last year in Washington, D.C., she was able to attend the inaugural event as well.

"It's a big city, but not as fast-paced as New York or San Francisco," she says.

In the five days that the students were in Washington, they participated in political simulations and enjoyed inaugural festivities while learning about how the government operates.

When she arrived in Washington, Mimi and the other participants had the opportunity to attend the "America's Future Rocks Today" concert, which featured popular acts like Hilary Duff and Three Doors Down. In addition to musical performances, the students learned about young people who were trying to make a difference. The concert also featured an unexpected cameo by a very notable guest--President George W. Bush.

"I was excited that he made an appearance," Mimi says. "Even though all the artists were there, he got the most applause."

And the concert was only the first chance Mimi had to see the president. On Jan. 20, when Bush was sworn in, she saw him--from a distance. Because the event attracted such a large audience, Mimi had to rely on a big-screen television to see the actual inauguration.

Although the 13-year-old and the other conference participants waited four hours to see the inauguration, two of which were spent reserving their place on the lawn, the initiation rite itself was quite brief.

"The actual process was about 10 seconds long," Mimi says.

But those were 10 seconds that Mimi will never forget. She was struck by the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony--and the crowds of people who flocked to see history in the making.

"It was really overwhelming," Mimi says. "The ceremony was so big, and there were so many people there who supported Bush, as well as the protestors."

Although the size of the crowd was intimidating, the spectators were generally polite and well-mannered, Mimi says. The group, however, did encounter an incident on their way to a hot chocolate reception at the National Press Club. A few of Bush's detractors made their presence known by blocking the bus' route. The middle-school students had to descend from the bus and hike 5 miles through the snow to reach the press club.

"Our feet were frozen from standing in the snow," Mimi says.

But frozen feet were not enough to deter the students from taking advantage of the conference's various activities. Mimi and the other youth participated in activities designed to broaden their understanding of politics. They reenacted the Electoral College, learned about hot topics like stem cell research, listened to speakers and met in small groups to discuss issues.

Mimi's favorite exercise was the simulation of a government scandal--a senator accused of plagiarism in college. For her role, Mimi played a political consultant whose job was to advise the senator about how to deal with the press. The aspiring journalist jumped at the chance to observe both sides of a press conference.

"I was surprised by how fast you have to think when reporters ask questions," Mimi says.

Mimi's mother, Debbie Gong-Guy, says her daughter gained valuable insight into national politics by attending the inaugural conference.