PORTLAND, Ore. -- A Newberg High School student hopes to be representing Oregon youth at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Victoria Hamilton, a senior at Newberg High, was selected to attend a youth leadership conference in Washington, D.C. during the inaugural festivities Jan. 16-22.

Photo courtesy: Newberg School District

Victoria Hamilton has been chosen to represent Oregon youth at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

But the invitation did not include travel, lodging or conference costs, which will amount to more than $4,000.

She is an alumni of LeadAmerica, a college-accredited leadership conference for promising high school students, a National Honor Student, and a Presidential Award for Educational Excellence recipient. She also studies classical opera and is a member of the high school’s Show Choir.

After school, Hamilton works part-time delivering food to seniors at a retirement community.

Hamilton was anonymously nominated by a teacher to attend a LeadAmerica summit last summer in New York, according to The Newberg Graphic, which led to her consideration for the inauguration youth summit.

Hamilton told the paper she was with her younger sister, Elizabeth, when she got news of her invitation and that the two “jumped up and down for, like, five minutes.”

Students who attend the inauguration will focus on the election process leading up to the president elect’s swearing-in and then attend the Inaugural Parade and Inaugural Ball.

Hamilton is actively fundraising to be able to accept the invitation. Bank of America has established a Victoria Hamilton Presidential Inauguration Fund, which can accept donations at any branch. Contributions can also be sent to the Bank of America branch in Newberg.