As President Barack Obama was sworn into office, 20 students and three teachers from Cedar Crest Academy in Clarkston were there to watch.
Planning started during primary season.
‘We knew it may possibly be a woman, possibly may be the first African-American president, it may have been John McCain, or the first female vice president,” said Katie Waggoner, grade 4-5 teacher at the Springfield Township academy. “So no matter what, when we were planning, we knew this was going to be a historic inauguration.?
When they arrived in Washington D.C., they were met by their private tour bus and tour guide from Smithsonian Student Travel, who planned the itinerary.
For some of the students, their favorite part of the trip was a museum, monument or memorial. For others, it was the inauguration.
‘My favorite thing was the inauguration,” said Sydney Shanbrom, student at Cedar Crest Academy. “He made history and was the first African-American person to become president.?
For Amber Schultz, grade 5-8 science and social science teacher, the best part of the trip was the inauguration itself.
‘It was a moving experience to be around all the other people. It was virtually almost silent on the mall with the swearing in. It was almost absolutely silent with 2 million people,? Schultz said.
‘You were there and you were cold and everything, but at the end of the inauguration you felt like it was so worth it because you got to see history there,? said student Katie McKnee.
‘It was, I think, 31 degrees that day and we were outside for six hours. Everyone was very thankful for a warm bed at the end. They were very, very tired,? Waggoner said.
Jennifer Beachle, fifth-grade teacher, also went on the trip.
Nate Weinreich, Cedar Crest Academy student, said his favorite part was Obama’s speech.
‘It really shows what he does and what he’s going to do. And we’re kind of in a darker time right now. He’s kind of giving people a lot of hope right now,? he said.
While in Washington D.C., the class visited Smithsonian museums including Air and Space, Natural History, American History, and American Indian, and Mt. Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, and a wax museum.
A memorable part of the trip was a ball hosted by Smithsonian Student Travel. The students dressed up and enjoyed dinner and dancing.
‘They got to dance and meet people from other schools,” Waggoner said. ‘They danced for two hours straight.?
The students, grades 5-7, flew out of Metro Airport at 7 a.m., Jan. 19, returning that Thursday. The trip was offered to all fifth, sixth and seventh-graders.