Goodrich- The Goodrich High School auditorium was filled with about 750 teenagers on Tuesday, but was remarkably quiet as students viewed on a giant screen the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
The silence was periodically broken as students applauded and cheered, beginning around noon, when, as music played, a broadcaster announced that although Obama had not yet been sworn-in, he was officially the president of the United States. Good-natured laughter came from the students as Obama paused while taking the oath of office when Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts transposed the words in one line. There were more cheers and clapping during Obama’s speech that followed.
History teacher Jason Gray said this is the first time students have had an assembly for a presidential inauguration, but administrators are considering having assemblies for subsequent inaugurations.
‘It’s significant every time,? Gray said. ‘Maybe not as much as this time, with the first African-American president… Forty to 50 years after the civil rights movement, we’ve elected our first black president.?
Patty Newton, a special education teacher who helped organize the assembly, called the inauguration a historic event that students will remember for a lifetime.
‘I remember seeing John F. Kennedy inaugurated in 1961 and it’s the same feeling this time,? Newton said. ‘I want the kids to have that same hope.?
Brandi Bates, a senior, said the inauguration was a landmark of progress.
‘It shows we are able to accept any difference and put it aside to better our nation,? she said. ‘I am hoping (Obama) will focus on education in America and our safety.?
Senior Ben Eikey is also hoping for an education focus, as well as a resurgence of the auto industry and the middle class, which he said is disappearing as the separation between the rich and poor widens.
Eikey called the inauguration ‘one of America’s crowning achievements.?
‘It truly shows how this is a land of equal opportunity,? he said. ‘I think a lot of people have lost sight of what truly makes a nation great and that is self-made people. You don’t have to have your last name be Adams or Bush in order to be president of the United States.?
Sophomore Julia Lange described the opportunity to witness the inauguration as awesome, especially when so many people around the world cannot elect their own leaders and watch as they take office.
‘I’m hoping we can spread democracy more and that other countries see race is not important to freedom and democracy,? Lange said. ‘We can change without prejudice.?
The students listened to Obama’s speech with rapt attention, and Gray said afterward he hoped they heeded the words of the new president.
‘He talked about potential and the kids are a big part of that,? Gray said. ‘I was surprised to hear that many ovations from students and I believe that means they are behind him, no matter how they feel politically. I hope they understand they have a big role in determining his success.?