feature stories
Feeling presidential
Feb 5, 2009 12:15 PM
Inauguration Day celebrated, studied at public schools across city
Talk about your teachable moment: President Barack Obama’s inauguration captured the imagination of educators and students like no other event in recent memory.
The feeling of being part of history was palpable throughout city schools on Jan. 20 as students watched the swearing-in and inaugural address of the nation’s first African-American president.
Some had a front-row seat to history, like the students from Brooklyn’s PS 156, who boarded buses at 4 a.m. to be there in person. Others gathered in their classrooms and auditoriums to watch the event on big screens and SMART Boards. Many students wrote poetry and essays about how they felt about Obama becoming president and what changes they would like to see in our nation.
But however they experienced it, students across the five boroughs shared in the joy and exhilaration of the moment.
Obama gear was the fashionable item of the day at the UFT Bronx borough office’s inaugural celebration, which drew more than 500 people.
For 2nd-graders watching at PS 170 in the Bronx, the moment just before the oath of office was profound, and students erupted, chanting ‘Obama!’ and flinging their hands in the air.
At Harlem Renaissance HS, what had been a noisy cafeteria filled with different inauguration-related activities grew so quiet you could hear a pin drop as President Obama gave his inaugural address.
HRHS students who were first-time voters joined the nearly 2 million people who filled Washington’s National Mall to be a part of it.
While the gowns may not have been as fancy as those in D.C., there were inaugural balls throughout city schools, including the UFT Elementary Charter School in East New York, where Chapter Leader Suzanne Penn taught ballroom dancing to 100 dressed-up kindergarteners in honor of the occasion.
Leylis Castillo, a teacher at the UFT Elementary Charter School in Brooklyn, dances with her kindergarten students during their own “inaugural ball.”
At PS/IS 156 in Queens, students danced the “Electric Slide” at their inaugural ball, and toasted the new president with sparkling cider. Tyra Washington, a 6th-grader, gave Obama’s speech high marks, saying, “He pointed out what he will do for our country.”
Students everywhere spoke of telling their grandchildren about the moment, and at PS 254 in Queens they made time capsules that included photos of themselves, poems, quotes, mementos and news clippings that will remind them of this historic event years from now.
While the very youngest were excited in perhaps equal measure by the event as by the food and festivities, older students were more reflective.
“This was amazing,” said Jonil Stewart, 17, of Harlem Renaissance HS. “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime. It makes me think I can do something else with my life; I have more possibilities.”
Laquasia Johnson, 18, also from HRHS, said, “It’s like a dream to wake up and see an African-American president. I feel sorry for the people who aren’t here to see it. I hope this has a big effect on my generation — you can make something of yourself, and stop the violence and ignorance.”
Classmate Chris Williams, 18, felt that his vote really mattered. “I’d like to see President Obama open up a lot of opportunities for education, jobs and health care. My mother was crying, she was so happy; it made me feel happy to see her — I was laughing with joy.”
Chris Williams of Harlem Renaissance HS volunteered for Obama, and said, “It felt good to vote — my vote changed something!”
Stephanie Christ, a 5th-grade teacher at PS 254 in Queens, lends a hand as students Brendalye Batizta and Modesty Encarnacion work on their time capsules to commemorate the day.
Kindergartners Deja Leitch and Kyle Irick share a moment at the UFT Elementary Charter School’s inaugural ball.
These early risers caught the 4 a.m. buses from PS 156 in Brooklyn to make it to the Inauguration in person: (from left) Nicoy Johnson, Amy Cohen, Michelle Foster, Alicia Williams, Tanya Stephens, Dionne Pessoa, Marisa Williams and Paraprofessional Representative Helena Brown.
Unable to control themselves, 2nd-graders in Lauren Hinton’s class at PS 170 in the Bronx expressed their enthusiasm as President Barack Obama was about to take the oath of office.
“Obama ran so we could fly” was one of the phrases on signs these children from PS 156 in Brooklyn brought with them to the Washington Mall, where they watched history being made.
Kids enjoyed the inaugural ball at PS/IS 156 in Queens, and learned the art of ballroom dancing and the etiquette of mingling with respect.
The president himself — or a reasonable facsimile — came to PS 9/MS 571 in Brooklyn for a photo opportunity with (from left) teacher Cassandra Stubbs-Burton and students Amanda Adams, Melissa Germosen, Nyesha Bernards, Jordan Booker and Kayden Sheldrake-Hernandez.
Students and teachers at Harlem Renaissance HS respond to the new president’s inaugural speech.
Laquasia Johnson of Harlem Renaissance HS said it was “like a dream to wake up and see an African-American president,” and that she would like to see President Obama visit the Bronx, where she lives.
[For even more photos, go to the “Feeling Presidential” gallery]
