Children from Selma will see a part of the democratic process firsthand.

Selma High and Knox Elementary students will attend the inauguration of president-elect Barack Obama on Jan. 20 in Washington.

Inauguration Day will conclude a week of festivities that begins Jan. 15. The day includes the president’s swearing-in ceremony, inaugural address and inaugural parade.

The Selma City School board approved the trip during its meeting earlier this week.

“I got a call from Washington D.C. from Sen. (Richard) Shelby’s office, and they’re working wholeheartedly for our school so we can be up front at the inauguration,” said Joslyn Reddick, principal of Knox Elementary. “We have senators and representatives from around the state that are all trying to help us attain our goal.”

School officials have been working to make the trip a reality for more than a year, according to school system spokesperson Crystal Boykin.

Fourth and fifth graders from Knox will make the trip to Washington. It has not been determined which students from Selma High will be selected.

Superintendent Austin Obasohan said he was strongly in favor of approving the trip, calling it a great learning opportunity.

“For children this age to be exposed to this type of civic exercise, this is tremendous,” Obasohan said.