Another Busy Day Ahead

Today we are scheduled to visit the offices of U.S. Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) at 10 am and U.S. Representative Robert Brady (D-PA) at 12:30 pm. This all after a wild night at the Eastern Ball at Union Station. We were lucky to get an up-close look at both Joe and Jill Biden AND Barack and Michelle Obama. It was their last stop of the ten "official" inaugural balls, and the crowd went wild during their short speeches and dances. This all not to mention just catching the last Metro train of the night after getting the run-around from security!

-David Kremer (268)

Late Night at The Eastern Ball at Union Station

It is 4:08 AM. We got backfrom the inaugural ball at around 3 o'clock in the morning. Everybody was looking sharp. Especially the ladies! We had a blast while we were there. Biden spoke at the ball, folllowed by OBAMA! Michelle Obama was also there. The dance was amazing, a wonderfully done ceremonious dance to kick off the Obama season.
However, coming home to the hotel was a disaster. We had to go through the "No Child Left Behind" drill as the officers on duty had us go through and around that same building for forty-five minutes in the bitter cold. But we all made it back, and the bus driver wasn't like a hundred miles away from the train station (ask one of us for details). Everyone is tired, getting about 4 hours sleep, hopefully.

-Abdur Farhan (268)
-David Nungesser (268)

Highlights from the Swearing-In Ceremony

After a largely traffic-free bus ride, we rode the Metro Green Line in to the Capitol from the Greenbelt station. Exiting the L'Enfant Plaza station was not for the faint of heart! We were walking shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of thousands of people wishing to see the beginning of a new era with the swearing-in of Barack Obama. We were able to gain access to one of the general admission ticketed areas and were preparing for a long day in the cold. Just before 10 am, the exuberance of the spectators spilled over literally, as one of the barriers fell, allowing observers to move up around and in front of the Reflecting Pool, which is merely across the street from the Capitol! The view at this point was spectacular! Obama's inaugural address began just after noon and millions listened intently.

After the speech, we walked right up to the steps of the Capitol and exchanged greetings with former Secretary of State Colin Powell. From there, we went to the Longfellow Building where we participated in a small, yet festive, reception hosted by U.S. Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA). From there, we visited the offices of Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) and Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA). Rep. Holden was kind enough to answer questions and Rep. Tsongas was kind enough to chat and pose for a group photo.

Special thanks go out to Warren Trent, a producer for Action News on 6-ABC and his cameraman, Mike. They followed us throughout the today and footage will be featured this Saturday at 7:30 pm on Visions.

We are currently at our hotel in Gaithersburg, Md. getting ready to attend one of the many inaugural balls. Gentlemen are in tuxes or suits while ladies are wearing evening gowns.

-David Kremer (268)

The Ride to DC

Everyone arrived at Central promptly at 4 am and we were off to DC to make history. With little traffic and endless amounts of food our journey began. Some of the sleepier members were woken up to the tune of the Action News theme song as the news crew went around interviewing. I'll be back with more blogging, we just arrived at the Metro station. Wish us luck.

-Sam Weinstock (268)

Remembering the Dream

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," are the inspirational words from Dr. Martin Luther King's famous "I Have a Dream" speech. Some forty plus years ago, Martin Luther King delivered this speech during the March on Washington which inspired the nation and spread hope throughout the world. Little did King know that in just four decades the nation, which made it so hard for black Americans and white Americans to live peacefully together, would be celebrating its first African American President. As the nation celebrates Martin Luther King Day, it is only fitting to discuss Barack Obama's presidential victory as it relates to the late Martin Luther King and the civil rights struggles of the past.

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s was perhaps one of the most tumultuous times in American history; it was also during this time that Martin Luther King Jr., just like Barack Obama, shined as a beacon of hope for the American people. Through the tears of the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the fear during the March on Selma, King's peaceful movement for the civil rights of African Americans and the rights of all Americans helped to bring the country where it is right now. Knowing that the negative facets of some of the country wouldn't change overnight, all King wanted was peace and opportunity for the children of the future, including a two-year-old boy in Hawaii named Barack Obama. So what would King think of Barack Obama and the great shift that he has created in this country? It is certain that he would be incredibly proud and astonished at how great this country is and how far it has come since his days as a voice of the people.

It is very fitting when considering how influential King's work and sacrifices in the 1950s and 1960s are on Obama's victory today, considering that Obama's nomination acceptance speech was delivered on the 45th anniversary of the foresaid "I Have a Dream" speech. There is no greater connection that can be made between the two than this. So as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s day, it is only right that we take a moment and reflect on how significant King was in Barack Obama's current success and the progress that this nation has made since his untimely death.

-Taja Jones (268)

Sunday Morning on WDAS

Jerry Mondesire, President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the NAACP and host of a Sunday morning talk show on WDAS, wanted to interview Mr. Horwits and a student from the twenty-six who are attending the inauguration trip from Central. Mr. Horwits made the offer to me and I accepted of course. Talking about this experience with the media is amazing, so of course, I would do it. I woke up around 7 and tried call the radio station. Initially, I couldn't get through with the number that Horwits provided me, so I decided to turn on my clock radio and listen to Horwits' interview. Around 7:30 or so, Mr. Mondesire and Mr. Horwits started to talk about the trip to D.C. Mr. Mondesire asked Mr. Horwits a variety of questions about different aspects of the trip. Horwits did a wonderful job in my opinion especially since it was early on Sunday morning. So after Horwits' interview, Mr. Mondesire indicated on the radio that he was looking out for me to give him a call so that he could speak about the trip.

After that indication, Horwits called me and gave me two numbers to call to reach Mr. Mondesire. I turned down my radio when Mr. Mondesire picked up the phone and began my interview. It was a live interview so I tried to pace myself; normally I talk REALLY fast. So Mr. Mondesire welcomed me to the show and he asked me how I knew the teachers in "The Law Firm" (nickname given to the trio of teachers that planned the trip). He then asked me how I was feeling about the upcoming trip. I told him that there weren't any words to describe the feeling that I have. It was all just overwhelming. We then talked about each part of the selection process. I explained how 49% of the politicians who took the test that we were required to take during the process actually did NOT pass the test. Mr. Mondesire explained how he probably would not have been able to pass either.

Mr. Mondesire then asked me about the essay topics that we had to answer. I told him three out of the four topics that we were required to elaborate on. I was kind of embarrassed that I wasn't able to remember the fourth question, but at the same time, I knew he understood it was really early and that I was answering on my toes. We then talked about the interview and I explained that the teachers were trying to pick well-rounded, able-to-think-on-their-toes students.

We discussed some other things about what I would bring back to share and so forth and Mr. Mondesire indicated that I would be the spokesperson for the group going to D.C. and that he would track me down to hear from me on the following Sunday about my experiences this upcoming week. My dad and mom listened out for me on the radio and were excited to hear me live. I myself was going insane just off of the fact that I knew I was live! I really cannot wait to report back to him next Sunday with a follow up!

-Camillia McKay (268)

"All Things Considered"

This entire experience has been such an exciting one for myself. When the media started to get involved with our trip, it made everything even more thrilling. The entire group going on the trip went to WHYY on Friday and we discussed everything about the inauguration trip, from the process to the itinerary. I must say, I really enjoyed talking on the radio. David Heller, our interviewer, was such a wonderful person to interact with. He kept the entire group on their toes. He arranged for a variety of students present to answer some of the questions he asked. I answered a couple of questions. The first one I believe was about the inaugural ball. I was so excited about explaining the ball because that is the best part of the trip in my opinion. The other question was in reference to any family member that we may have that might never have believed they'd ever see a black president in office. I basically talked about the reactions my family in North Carolina and my father. It felt so good to talk about everything. My peers answered questions as well.

Sitting there and actually participating in the radio broadcast was overwhelming. For me, it was like walking into a mansion that is en route to my way to school. I always see this mansion and wonder what is on the inside. I study every aspect of the house and imagine what it would be like to actually live inside the house for a day. When I go inside, everything is so amazing that I can't find the words to describe the experience. Visiting WHYY was like walking into the mansion I pass by on my way to school every day. I participated in an actual radio broadcast. Just seeing the "On the Air" sign light up in red made me realize that I am actually going to be on the radio. Since that was the first time being on the radio, I was so excited to hear how I did, but never got a chance to. Overall, talking on "All Things Considered" on NPR was one of the best experiences I think I have ever had.

-Camillia McKay (268)