Barack Obama is OUR President!

Reactions from our students:

"The World is Changed and We must Change with it" - Obama
This is the most truthful and yet misunderstood quote that President Obama said this morning. It is true that he world has been making dramatic changes throughout the past eight years, and to be honest, we have fallen behind on our duty to the world. We are involved in a seemingly endless war, instead of following the way it has proven to work many times over. Which would is to be a peace keeper and beacon; that is how I believe relations should be handled. We are America this not how we should carry our selves and expect others to follow us. We need to expand within our selves and renew our world status. I believe that President Obama knows these truths and will definitely change things for the better.
-Gabriel Herman

Those of us on the Metro at 4:00 a.m. broke out into chant while standing shoulder to shoulder "Fired Up Ready to GO"
The feeling of unity provided by the simple chant was enough to prepare us for the inauguration, but when you look at the bare bones of Obama's message, "Fired up, ready to go" becomes much more than a simple chant. Whether or not you agree with his politics, you have to admit that our President is an inspirational character. Obama has consistently given us the same message since the beginning of his campaign: We are the change that we seek. Everyone wants progress, but it seems that most people sat back and waited for the government to make their lives better. President Obama holds a significant amount of sway over the American populace, and with that influence, he has inspired people to take the fate of the world in to their own hands. That, more than anything, is what America needs.
-Chris Enders

"People judge you on what you can build not destroy" -Barack Obama
Obama's inaugural speech was focused on peace and change. This quote represents what Obama's focus will be in the next four years - building up our nation, and others. He feels that our country would do better with hope instead of fear and despair. The crowd seemed to share his hopeful outlook. We didn't see any protesters or anyone with negative attitudes. The whole time we stood in lines and in crowds everyone was excited for our new president. The experience was amazing and now we can all say that we attended this historical inauguration.
-Sara Jones

"Our patchwork heritage is a strength." - Obama
As I witnessed the inauguration, I could see the unity that our country has established. Throughout our history, unity has not always been in sight. As we remembered Martin Luther King Jr. and his message this week, I realized many of his beliefs are shared with President Obama. The differences of Americans should not be diffused, but embraced. The brotherhood I saw in the crowds, on the metro, and waiting in lines, showed that America is changing. We are embracing one anther's differences and I am so excited to see President Obama's presidency and the continuing changes he makes toward MLK's dream. This week has been unforgettable and something that will be with me for the rest of my life. - Liz Rich


My thoughts:
As we boarded the metro train at 4:00 a.m. I could feel the message that would prevail through out the day "inclusiveness". Millions of people came to the city today to witness history and I am yet to witness any negative attitudes and actually much of the opposite; optimism was seen by all of those who attended the ceremony festivities today. With the largest security event under place there was confusion, but this was purposeful. Nobody knew what roads were going to be closed, where the checkpoints would be, which metro was coming or going even the MPDC admitted over and over the security police were changing openings and closers moment to moment which made things a bit chaotic although everyone seemed to be at peace with the idea of just being in the moment. It was in deed a momentous occasion. In his speech Obama spoke to the current generation, laying out a vision he made his speech with complete conviction and at that time we embraced a pivot point for American History. We are here witnessing a moment that is going to define generations. With great Dignity Barack Obama has taken the oath of office, given his speech and has become our 44th President of the United States of America. Today, myself and students stood with millions of others; Americans of all race, gender and ethnicity's to embrace our time to begin a new. I am very proud of my students today as they represented their school with great pride.