Southwestern University student Charles Prince will attend the inauguration. His first-ever vote was for his mother (above), the first African American woman elected Mayor of Port Arthur.

In just one week, President-elect Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

Millions are expected to attend, and among them will be many first-time voters Obama captured along the campaign trail.

The Spring semester started Monday for Southwestern University
students.

	Youth Vote
Experts say the youth vote played a big role in helping President-elect Barack Obama win the election. In fact, Obama was favored among 18-24 year-old likely voters by nearly a 2-1 margin over Sen. John McCain, and more young people saw the effectiveness of political engagement than one year prior, according to a Fall 2008 Harvard poll. A majority of young voters, 65 percent, also said the presidential campaign focused too much on race and gender, according to an April 2008 CBS News/MTV poll. Click the links to view the surveys.

But for a few, like junior student Charles Prince, their focus was more on packing for a flight they'll catch in a few days.

"I'm gone from Thursday to Thursday," he said. "It's a week to be away from classes, but I wanted to be there for the inauguration."

This was Prince's first time to cast a ballot for a President, but his first-ever vote was in 2007 for his mother -- the first African American woman elected mayor of Port Arthur, Texas.

Prince said he turned 18 at just the right time.

"This moment in my life between 18 and 20 is something you
don't see everyday, or every generation, because it's not just an advancement in Port Arthur and the nation," he said. "We're no longer strapped down to how the person presents themselves. It's about the issues."

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Inauguration Day Many Central Texans are packing their bags and heading east. News 8's Karina Kling shares the stories of two Southwestern University students.

William Thomas is another Southwestern student who will fly to Washington, D.C.

"It's a great experience especially this early in my life," the sophomore said.

Thomas is another first-time voter about to see Obama sworn in.

He actually had a ticket secured before Obama won and hoped that's who he'd see come Jan. 20.

"I knew the possibility was there, but I had no idea," Thomas said. "I knew it would be a great experience regardless of who won, but the fact Obama is going to be there to be sworn in -- it's really amazing to be part of this historic occasion."

	Local inauguration festivities and activities:
Inauguration Watch Party & Brunch-like Gathering 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Alamo Drafthouse 2700 W Anderson Ln. Ste 701 Austin, TX 78757 (512) 459-7090 Huston-Tillotson University Noon King-Seabrook Chapel 900 Chicon St. Austin, TX 78702 Presidential Inaugural Gala at the Driskill 8-11 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 17 Fundraiser for the Travis County Democratic Party Do you know of an inauguration activity or festivity you'd like to share with News 8? If so, email us!

The relatively quiet Southwestern campus won't quite be the same story for Prince and Thomas on Tuesday as they battle the millions of people expected at Obama's inauguration. But, both said it's going to be worth it, and they want to be completely prepared as they witness history.

"I want to have everything so I can remember this moment, so I
can bring back things," Prince said. "A day in time that this country actually moved to something different."

Both Charles and William said they will be sharing their experiences through presentations and lectures with their classes.

	Student William Thomas will also attend the inauguration. He bought his plane ticket months ago.