Video blog!

Lisa Eisenberg and Sandy Ruan teamed up to chronicle their inauguration experience on video. Here is what they've posted on YouTube!

Pictures!

Special thanks to Mr. Speir for establishing a page where students can display pictures. Enjoy!

"I could feel democracy in my veins"

Two teas, one coffee, two Red Bulls, three bottles of ruby red grapefruit juice, and four bottles of water. I could say that all sums up my experience on January 20th, 2009, but it doesn't. Sometimes I find myself speechless when trying to describe this unforgettable moment in my life, but for blogging purposes I'll try my best.

I thought when I received the e-mail of acceptance that I was on top of the world. I wanted no other Christmas present then to be included in the group of 26 students going down to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. When I heard President Obama speak the words "So help me God," it was a whole other high. I could feel democracy in my veins. I finally understood what our founding fathers meant by diplomacy, liberty, and equality.

Some people said the America wasn't ready. "Just give it another 100 years or so," some critics remarked. I guess that's why it meant so much to me to attend that ceremony. To actually see a chapter of history close and watch the sun rise upon a new era was the most remarkable experience. For me, I had to see it to believe it. I saw America shut its doors to racism and prejudice and welcome true opportunity and hope.

We have come far but we still have a long way to go. It is truly an accomplishment to see an African American male and a woman be in two of the most powerful positions in the world. But there is more to be accomplished. I pray to God I am alive to see a time when people like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are not categorized by their race or gender but by the hard working, genuine, public servants they are.

-Brianna Weeks (268)

The Power of Words

After the inauguration I spent a lot of time thinking about words and their meanings. Every sentence can be interpreted in a plethora of ways, and they can evoke different emotions based on their interpretations. When Barack Obama delivered his speech on Election Day, I cried. His tone of voice had so much power and confidence behind it. Obama spoke of change, possibility, and the unity between us all that left me feeling hopeful. When I was given the opportunity to go to the inauguration I was ecstatic. I wrote my essay, and was interviewed by my teachers always choosing my words carefully. You never know how important the words you speak are until someone tells you they remember.

Before we even got on the bus to DC we had words joining us together. Many of us were quoted in the Philadelphia Daily News and on their website. On the website people left comments, many of them hurtful. The same power behind words of inspiration dwells within insults and criticism. We were called elitists, stupid, naive, and undeserving. Out of 30 comments, there were only a handful of positive ones. Yes, the negative comments hurt, but the positive affirmations rose above the put-downs. The 25 of us are able to joke about the comments and connect them as part of the trip. After spending hours outside the inauguration I became much closer with the people I was around. We now have a common story that we can tell to our friends and families. I talk a lot without always thinking about how someone will interpret what I say. After meeting new people, talking with senators, representatives, and astronauts, I think I will choose every word wisely and see how my words and actions carry me in life. Clearly making the right choices has worked out for Barack Obama.

-Asha Davis (268)

Wow!

Wow! The 2009 Inauguration Trip was amazing. It was just about a month ago, during Christmas break, that I realized that I was selected to go on the trip. I was excited and energized about going on the trip, but never did I think that I would see or experience as much as I did. From witnessing a defining moment in history and seeing Barack Obama, to enjoying a few laughs with my fellow 268ers this trip was truly the highlight of my senior year and definitely something that I will never forget.

As a seventeen-year-old student, I never thought that I would have the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C. and actually experience a swearing in ceremony. It is such a rare privilege to watch an inauguration ceremony first hand and at the young age of seventeen I felt even more fortunate considering that members of my family and even some of my teachers, who are three times my age or more, have never had this opportunity in their lives.

Perhaps one of my favorite parts of the trip was just waiting for the swearing in ceremony to begin. Although it was cold, it was refreshing to see all the hundreds of thousands of people of all races and nationalities, from Germans to Australians, who came out to witness history. It was even more refreshing to see how calm everybody was and despite the large crowd there were no confrontations. I remember talking with a woman in line and she spoke so proudly about how the American citizens carried themselves that day. I remember her saying, "the world was watching and waiting for us to mess up but we didn't." This moment truly impacted my feelings on my country and intensified that pride that Americans are known for.

The Inauguration Trip has truly made a large impact on my life. As an aspiring political journalist, I had the chance to walk the capital building and sit in on a Senate session; these are things that I might do in the future. Not to mention, I met a Senator and representatives and shared a room with the President which will be parts of my job in the future. These experiences are the ones that I will remember and take with me to college, and it is only right that I and my fellow students thank Mr. Horwits, Mr. Graham, and Mr. Levy for planning a memorable and amazing trip to Washington, D.C.!

-Taja Jones (268)

Philly Clout

Philly Clout, the political blog on philly.com, set up a special "Student Blogger" page that allowed local high school students an opportunity to check in with observations on the big day. Check it out!

-Barron Johnston (268)

-Sam Weinstock (268)

Highlights from Day 2

Yesterday was quite the learning experience. We were fortunate enough to meet Sen. Specter, who spoke with us for a good fifteen minutes. We received a official commendation from Rep. Brady for our work in civic engagement. We attended a reception for the astronauts on the space shuttle Endeavor that was hosted by Rep. Suzanne Kosmas of Florida, who was instrumental in helping Mr. Horwits and Mr. Levy gain access to tickets to the inauguration. After lunch, we took a tour of the Capitol and just missed the Senate confirmation vote on Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. The long wait at the Capitol combined with DC rush hour traffic made for a late departure after dinner. We returned to Central just after midnight to follow-up interviews for Visions. The group was understandably exhausted after two non-stop days on-the-go. Expect much more detailed student entries in the coming week on yesterday's events, additional follow-up interviews with various local media, and the overall impact of this trip.

-Mr. Graham