My day at the inauguration

I was super excited to witness history in the making, the 44th President of the United States Barack Obama taking the oath of office for the second and last time.

My editor Dante and I met early in the morning to make our way to the designated area where we had tickets. By the time we got there, tens of thousands of people had already gathered on the National Mall and more were yet to come. They had started pouring in since before sunrise, even though the ceremony was scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Everywhere I looked I saw folks wearing inauguration memorabilia: buttons, hats, scarves, flags, bagsand backpacks, and even jackets with the presidential seal. People had come from all over the country to be together for this momentous occasion. I spoke with members of a family who came from Florida, Georgia, New York, and Texas for a reunion on the National Mall on Inauguration Day!

A crowd of great diversity was making its way slowly but steadily towards the Capitol Building. Kids of all ages, parents, and grandparents tried to find a spot in front of the giant screens placed strategically on the Mall. The atmosphere was charged with boundless energy as the crowd was anticipating the President’s oath and speech.

Everywhere you went was jam-packed with people. Dante and I had tickets for the South Standing area. Because no one seemed to be checking tickets once we were inside, we moved with the crowd to the West Standing area. It was mobbed by thousands of people. At one point we were even squashed between a massive crowd and the doors of a port-a-potty!

We decided that we could spend hours standing between a bathroom door and a mass of people. So we walked around until we found a spot where we might be able to see one of the massive TV screens set up in front of the Capitol. We ended up in a very unfortunate position, with no view of either the event itself or the screen. We moved around trying to catch a glimpse of the President — or anything else —without much luck.

When the moment finally came for the presidential oath and President Obama's inaugural address, any frustration we had was gone. This was history! Hundreds of thousands of American flags flew in the air as one, and a huge roar rose from the masses. People listened intently to the “our journey is not complete” speech, nodding and cheering when the President hit the right note.

At the end, the crowd exploded after each of Kelly Clarkson’s and Beyoncé’s performances, and then, in less than an hour, the National Mall was almost cleared. It was weird to see the lawn so empty after just minutes before being so full. And it was upsetting to see how much garbage the thousands of people left behind.

After the ceremony was over we tried to reconnect with my mom, but because so many streets were closed or blocked it took us almost two hours to cover what could have been a block’s distance.

We eventually all found each other. But we were all cold, tired, and exhausted — not to mention hungry and thirsty — that we needed to find a warm place to rest up. We ended up at the Smithsonian Castle where we had a working lunch at its cafe.  

After a couple hours, we thought we waited out most of the crowd. But when we emerged an hour and a half later we discovered Inauguration Day was still in full swing. My mom and I said goodbye to Dante and tried to make our way to the closest Metro station. It took us another hour and a half to essentially cross the street because we were diverted around so many blocks. While the police, Secret Service, and Army personnel were very pleasant and good natured, I heard many people and reporters complaining that security for the inauguration was not handled very smoothly.

Despite these inconveniences, I was very proud to have been witness to this event. Even though it wasn’t quite what I expected, it was a great experience that I will never forget.

Check out my story about Inauguration Day on the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website!

—Kid Reporter Hannah Prensky

Photo: Kid Reporter Hannah Prensky in front of the Capitol Building after the inauguration. (Dante A. Ciampaglia/Scholastic)

Comments

[khiyana]

Hello was you scared to see the The President Begins his Second Term? Was you scared.

[Wildkats]

Your blog & article were awesome! We are also very suprised and saddened that there was so much trash left at the inaugural event. We wonder who picked up all this trash and did they recycle at all? We are glad that you were able to experience this and we hope to go to Washington, D.C. one day too.

[Courtney]

What an awesome experience! Great job Hannah!

[anthony]

well i think your article was great wait no i mean briallant it was the greatest thing i have ever heard in my life.

[bilivia.k]

who picked up all the garbige and were you scared to see the presedent to see him for the first time.

[Austin]

If i was there to experience that like you did that would be like a deam to me and all my faimly, because we wouldnt have to wacth on all the channels on tv. It would have took a long time to find a spot with all the people walking, but it would have been worth pushed around by alot of people just to see the presadent in real life instead of the tv... Great job Hannah!

[Claire Y.]

Hannah that was a great article,if I was supposed to do your job I don't know what I would do because I would be so confused.Personally Hannah I think you did a good job and also I think it would have been so much fun to see all the wonderful things.I wish that I could do something awesome like that. Keep it up Hannah.

[Courtney j]

Your blog was great Hannah! Did you actually get to meet our president if so was it a great experience? Hannah i have one more question did you finally get a better view of the president giving the speech?

[Caitlin N B]

First of all how was experience did you see a bunch of cameras ? Were you able to meet president Obama did you meet the vice president? Where you on tv at all that would be amazing !!!!! Also did u get to see Al Rucker he is awesome just like your blog !!!!! I hope that you enjoy my comment i look forward to reading more of your blogs !!!!! :)

[Abigail.L]

this is a fantastic artical,its really cool telling what you did and experience and I am thinking of being a reporter(maybe),but i love your work,and i cant wait to see what your going to write about next.

[Elijah.M]

Just amazing! I don't think I could ever do your job Hannah. First of all I would be at a loss of words if I got to see the president swear oath into the office. Also I would be confused of where I was because of all of the people bombarding the mall.

[Audrey .L.]

Hey Hannah that was a great article. I would of loved to been at the Inauguration .You are very brave and lucky to be there . If i was ever there i would of been scared and happy to be there. The first think i'd do is try and look for President Obama. It would be really hard but ill still try!!!!!!! :):):):):)

[Gracie G.]

Hey Hannah! Your blog is great! I wish I could have been there... sort of. If I had been there, I would be so overwhelmed with excitment. You were very brave to go there to celebrate another 4 years of Obama's presidency. Wish I could have done that.Thanks for writing that blog! :):)

[Gabe H! :)]

Hey Hannah! Great article! Of I where there first I would Probably get lost because of trying to get to the front. Was there not any concession stands to get food? Anyways, great article! Keep up the goo work!

[Logan B:)]

great article hannah! i wish i could be there and feel the excitement you were having.LOL.KEEP IT UPPPPPPPP!

[hannah c]

wow i would love to have had that experince that is amazing to be apart of history and also see the president wow amazing keep it up hannah ;)

[Logan B:)]

GREAT ARTICLE HANNAH!LOL.I WISH I FELT THE EXCITEMENT YOU HAD.AND TO ADD DID U SEE THE PRESIDENT AND THE VICE PRESIDENT!!!!!!!??????????

[Logan B:)]

GREAT ARTICLE HANNAH!LOL.I WISH I COULD FEEL THE EXCITEMENT.

[Alexis T]

Hi my name is Alexis I am going to tell you how i would be if that was me instead of you. I will aklso ask you some questions. You must be pleased that you got to go to the inauguration. I would hate to be in such a big crowd. Even though I am not claustrophobic now I would be by the time I left. LOL Was your pictures taken? Did they really leave so much trash? Was there no tras cans? Did they even have food there for people to throw their trash down. I would be ashamed. That must of been a very fun experience. Great Great job!

[Roberto R.]

Great job Hannah, if I was there I would be so scared because I never been near a famous person or even the president.

[Emily r]

First of all Hannah that was a great article if i was to experience all of that i would be excited and scared at the same time.Because of the huge crowd and i look forward to reading more of your articles.:)

[sebastain r.]

that was the best articl ever was I wish I was there and how much trash was there !!

[Aaron s.]

Hey Hannah!your article was great.It must be amazing to be able to meet the president.I would not be able to wait that long to cross a street!I bet u where tired the next day.Did u get to shake the presidents hand.I would like to have the same experience you had.Also keep up the good work......

[Noah E.]

It would be wierd to be bunched up with a bunch of people.But it would be cool to see all the flags go up into the air Imight even get a suvener like a backpack.Good job Hannah!

[Charles R.]

Hannah your article was awsome.IF I was there I would be scared because I never meet the president.Hannah was you tired when you tryed to cross the street?Last thing how did it feel to be around to be near the president?