She may not have worn Michelle Obama's flowing Jason Wu gown, but Cynthia Russell celebrated President Barack Obama's inauguration in style.
Russell was one of 10 people who won tickets to the inauguration through an essay contest sponsored by the Presidential Inaugural Committee.
"It was all so exciting," Russell said.
On Saturday, she walked from her plane to a waiting car that drove her and her boyfriend to check into the Capitol Hill Suites Hotel.
They took in the sights and sounds of the "We Are One" concert at the Lincoln Memorial Sunday.
Dressed in a deep purple, velvet dress and a well-used pair of silver Manolo Blahniks, Russell mingled with her fellow contest-winners at Union Station Monday night for a bipartisan dinner in honor of then Vice President-elect Joe Biden.
The highlight of the night for her was a musical performance by Carole King. King's album "Tapestry" was the first album Russell ever bought.
Tuesday morning, Russell trekked to Capitol Hill for Obama's swearing-in. She maneuvered through long lines, security checkpoints and police barricades before settling in a spot northwest of the Capitol.
Temperatures were low, but spirits were high.
"There was energy in the air," Russell said. "It was just incredible. Everyone got bit by the Obama bug."
At the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball that evening, Russell donned a simple black dress and watched the first couple slow dance to Beyonce's soulful rendition of Etta James' "At Last."
Although the night showcased Obama dipping to the ground to do "the bump," it could not trump the day's proceedings.
"It's one of those things that you just have to be there to experience it," Russell said.
