Exonians Watch as Obama Takes the Oath
January 20, 2009
Andrew Hertig's U.S. History class discusses the Obama inauguration
With cheers and a standing ovation, Exeter students and faculty watched as Barack Obama took the oath of office as the country's 44th President. Exeter created a special class schedule to allow students to watch the key ceremonies on a large screen in the Assembly Hall.
Jack Herney, history instructor, introduced the live telecast. "We are doing at Exeter what we rarely do: interrupting our schedules," he said. "Americans are joined by people all over the world today to watch the inauguration." Herney continued, "We all know why this one is different: the person and the circumstances…the issue of race has been the curse of our national history," adding that today's inauguration is a milestone. But, we are "still unfinished in addressing the divisiveness in our nation." Herney compared the economic and political circumstances of today to only one other inauguration – FDR's in 1933 – "and that was without the complication of two wars."
"The air was electric in Assembly Hall," says Molly '09, an avid Democrat who worked first for Edwards and then Obama during the campaign. "Students and faculty alike were riveted to the screens and holding onto every moment. I kept thinking about how I would remember this inauguration for the rest of my life, and how I will pass on this story to the generations after me."
The Phelps Academy Center also had a large screen projecting news from Washington D.C. all day. Large numbers of students, faculty and staff watched the events during their free periods.
Max '09, a Democratic Club co-head who has worked on the Obama campaign for months, says: "For the first time in my life, I look up to the president as a leader, a role model and a problem solver. I look at the news full of horrible stories and believe that my government can fix them. I've always been excited by politics and government. Today, I'm excited by what I realize America can do."
Herney's U.S. History class has a lively discussionU.S. History classes discussed the inauguration all day. A quick census in Herney's U.S. History 332 showed that over half the students had been active in the campaign, through phone banks and visibility efforts. "It's cool that we've had a part in this election, even if only a minimal one through campaigning," said one student.
Expectations of the inaugural speech ran high early this morning. "Obama has set a very high bar" with his previous speeches, said one upper. Another excitedly added, "And each time he blows us away." "I think he'll talk about Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr.," said another.
Andrew Hertig challenged his U.S. History class: "What does Obama mean to you?" "This is a huge milestone," said one student. "Kids who are little now will grow up with a black man as president," said another, as the class discussed America's route toward racial equality. "He's going to turn the country around," added another.
History teachers remarked on the historic importance of the day. "There are few times that you will remember for your entire lives," said Kent McConnell to his U.S. History class. "You will be asked questions about this day for a long time." Hertig put it very simply: "This is a BIG Tuesday." Herney echoed to the all-school Assembly, "What we are about to see and hear will be the subject of comment for days, weeks, months, and perhaps for all time."
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