Alex Higgins and Ike Swetlitz

Opinions Editor and Staff Writer

While a majority of Central students gathered around televisions throughout the school, 28 stu­dents and four teachers had the opportunity to view the inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Donna Mohn, humanities teacher and coordi­nator for the trip, said she feels the students at­tending will not only see history, but “are investing in their own education by signing up for the trip.”

Many students who did not have the opportuni­ty to go felt they still had an experience by watch­ing it during the school day.

Senior David Tarsha, though he watched the in­auguration in school, still felt the excitement.

“I kept thinking “oh my God. It is actually hap­pening’,” Tarsha said.

“The inauguration was the only day in four years when my mom said I could have stayed home without being actually sick. I am also glad that students who don’t pay enough attention to politics are given a chance to see what is truly important to the world.”

Other viewers, includ­ing sophomore Alexander Hinch, felt the time spent watching the inauguration was valuable and important.

“I think that the very small amount of time taken out of each period … is a small price to pay to witness histo­ry,” Hinch said. “We should do this in the future, not only with presidential inau­gurations but also with other important events.”

Senior Dave Dunsire was a bit nervous about President Obama’s inauguration; however, he felt like “[the secret service and police] had a good handle on everything.”

“This is one of the biggest changes in American history,” Dunsire said. “Whether it’s good or bad, we will have to see along the way, but we should watch the leader of our country be sworn in. It’s educational.”

Like Tarsha, Hinch and Dunsire, junior Kelsey Duerinck felt by watching the inauguration, stu­dents received a better appreciation for politics.

“Even though some people don’t understand,” said Duerinck, “it’s going down in history. It will be talked about forever.”

Senior Xander Franklin thought the adminis­tration should allow students to view the inau­guration even if President Obama did not win.

“I still think we should have watched the in­auguration [if there was a different outcome],” Franklin said.

“It’s important that students view history…It’s important that each student watches the in­auguration. We should have watched it no mat­ter if Obama or McCain won.”

Although he sensed the inauguration spurred “good conversation,” sophomore Daniel Crow­ley said he felt the administration overestimat­ed the importance of watching it.

“He’s President, and I think it’s important to watch who’ll be leading the country, whether it’s a Republican or Democrat,” Crowley said.

Some students who watched, recognized peers who did not come and watch.

“I noticed one person who found a way to actually get out of school because they weren’t interested in watching it,” Hinch said.

“She didn’t want to stick around and watch Obama be­ing inaugurated, but it wasn’t like she was skipping school.”

Some of the viewers became more interested in the inaugu­ration because they voted in the election.

Tarsha voted for Obama; however, he did not “vote for him because he is popular with the younger crowd.”

“Not only do I agree with him, but he is an inspirational figure. Obama went from a fatherless child to the president of the world’s strongest country. If that is not impressive, then I don’t know what is,” Tarsha said.

According to www.civicyouth.org, a research site interested in young adult’s voting for presi­dent, there was an 11 percent increase in voting from the ages of 18-29 from the election years of 2000-2008.

“Angered and inspired by the hardships en­dured, I think young voters registered with one thing in mind: change,” Tarsha said.

Although Tarsha and Dunsire believe more young voters registered for this election be­cause of President Bush’s term, Franklin be­lieved other factors made young adults vote.

Franklin feels the media coverage for this elec­tion, feeds the voters information.

“The media has played an important success in each election,” Franklin said. “You knew the can­didates, you sometimes knew the issue, but you know you needed to vote.”

Although too young to vote, Duerinck’s vote would have gone to Obama “because I was a big Obama fan from the start.”

However, Duerinck believes the community could encourage young voters to vote more for the upcoming elections.

“[I think] teaching more kids about [voting] and encouraging kids around in the community would get more kids aware [and vote],” Duerinck said.

Even though all students had a different view­point about watching the inauguration, all agreed it is important to watch.

“No matter which president is elected, he or she will have an important impact on the history of the world and America,” Franklin said.

Crowley said Central decided to watch the in­auguration for this particular one because of the history behind it.

“Obama is a candidate that promised change,” said Crowley, “and I think the administration found that important to watch.”

Tarsha agreed with Crowley; however, he feels the administration had a bigger goal in mind.

“All inaugurations are important to not only to America, but also the world,” Tarsha said. “There are too many young people who don’t know any­thing about the world around them other than high school drama and celebrity blabber.”

Because of the lack of patriotism in the coun­try, Dunsire said the inauguration tied Americans back together.

“How can we unite as a country if we don’t watch our own history take place?” Dunsire said.

Even though the history of Obama becom­ing America’s first African-American president, Mohn said that fact will be put to rest.

“At some going, he’s not going to be considered the first black president,” she said. “He’s just go­ing to be considered our president.”

Because he voted, Tarsha feels he helped make an improvement in America’s society.

“On Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008, I helped change his­tory; I helped change America; I helped change the world by voting,” Tarsha said.

“One vote counts. Together can we change the world for the better? As President Obama says, ‘yes we can!’”