Some Baltimore-area students who have demonstrated strong academic and leadership skills received the golden ticket to witness the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama on Tuesday in Washington D.C.

Annapolis Area Christian School student Ryan Cato, of Severn, is among 400 2009 Presidential Scholars — including about 40 from Maryland — who will attend the 2009 Presidential Youth Leadership Conference, which is sponsored by LeadAmerica, the nation’s premiere youth leadership organization.