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

[sebastain r.]

Great article !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ethan L.]

If I were there I would have been amazed at the amount of people there.

[Shawn.G.]

Awesome i could of never done that i am clostrephobic if i went it would have been funny to hear Beonce

[Hayley H.]

You inspire me hannah! after reading your article i realized how stressful it would of been for me! How was it like seeing all those people gathered just to hear the presidents speech?
I bet it looked a lot like New Years Eve in Time Square. I cant wait to read your next article!

[Nikki P.]

Hi Hannah, I'm Nikki. If I were you I would feel many MANY emotions. I would feel excited but nervous as well. Were you scared when you got to see the president for the first time? Congratulations on getting to be there. I probably wouldnt be able to do what you have done!! Great job Hannah!

[Jaci G (:]

Wow, your article was amazing! Now wonder why you are a reporter. If I was you, I would be struck down by exictement. Also, I would be pretty nervous. You saw our presdient. AMAZING!!! You inspire me so much, Hannah. Keep that good writing up! ((:

[Megan A.]

If I was there in replacement of you I would be so excited and nervous! I wouldnt know what to say or write especially considering you were stuck between port-a-potty doors. You make me inspired to write because you proved that by writing you can go to amazing places. Hannah i would be very proud to be so sucessful at a very young age!!

[emily w]

nice job hannah,I problay would not like to go to the inaugurtion,only because I am not a big fan of barack obama at all.I also would not like the big croud. Plus, the garbage would be decusting.Altough I would I like to visit the white house.Keep up the good work hannah <3

[Kid Reporter Hannah P]

@Courtneyj I got to interview the President last September in the White House which was such an exciting experience! You can find the interview on the Scholastic Kids Press homepage, and watch it. And no, I did't get to SEE him deliver his speech, but I heard it all and could kind of see it on one of the screens.

[Kid Reporter Hannah P]

@CaitlinNB I did't get to meet President Obama on Monday, but I interviewed him in September. I was interviewed on CNN on Saturday night about going to the inauguration and meeting the President!

[Kid Reporter Hannah P]

@Wildkats @bilivia.k There was a lot of trash left after everyone was gone. I saw on the news that the local government sent out a team of people to pick up all the trash, because it was all over the city!

@CharlesR I was pretty tired after having to walk everywhere just to cross the road. When we finally found a metro station, my mom and I had to wait 25 minutes just to go down the escalator! (There were so many people going home from the parade.) Also, I interviewed President Obama last September with one other KR, and we were very nervous! However, when the President came in, he started to talk to us and make us feel more comfortable (@Aarons , I got to shake his hand when I introduced myself, and when we were finished:) )

@Alexist All of the trash cans were completely overflowing, and even though they didn't have concession stands, a lot of people brought their own food and water bottles. Most of the trash was newspaper, though.

@LoganB I didn't get a look at the President or Vice President in person, but I saw them on the big screens, and heard everything they said because we were standing right by speakers.

@GabeH! I didn't see any concession stands where I was standing but some people bought their own food and had a "picnic."

Thank you so much for all of your comments! I enjoyed reading all of them!

[Camryn Mc.]

Wow! Great article Hannah. If I had your job I would be so nervous. I didn't watch the inaguration, but I heard it was really good. I would be so scared. Were you nervous? How did you get to the Capital Building? It would awesome to be in your place!

[Colton]

I thought it was amazing being able to meet the President you are very lucky to be able to get a trip to D.C.I also thought you made a amazing report.

[brennen.f]

hey Hannah i think your article is the best one I have read. I wish I was there in your shoes it would have been a great experence for me and my family.Hope you loved it as much as I would have.

[Lydia W.]

Hannah your so lucky to have gone. I wish i could have been there. Your article was great, Im so glad you wrote it.

[Janey T.]

Hanah I think you did an awesome job. I hope you write more pieces that I can read, keep up the good work.

[Mark G.]

It would be awesome to see the preident be sworn into office ,but I would not like the huge crowds

[Bryce W.]

Great article Hannah.If I got to experience that great adventure I would be very excited because I would get to see the United States president,that would be great.Keep up the good work so you can go on more great adventures.Great job Hannah.

[Lydia W.]

Your so brave, if I had to go I would be super scared that i would mess up and not get the right information.

[Janey T.]

Blog is awesome!!! I think I would feel every happy to be there,it must have been fun. Where on TV? was there a lot of people? I hope you write more blogs for me to read.

[Abby L.]

Your article was great Hannah! If i went i would be so confused, i wouldnt know where to go or what to do either!!! I think amazing that teens your age would actually go to the Presidential Inauguration! Today most teens wouldnt even watch it on the telivision screen. So what u did was amazing Hannah! Please post more blogs so i can read!!

[winston j]

hey hannah i think that the article is great i read it and know i wish i kould have went i want to be a police man and that would probably help me a lot.

[jonathon s.]

That was great!i wish i was there i would be really happy

[jaylen.w]

hey hannah that was a great article.The way i would have felt would be excitedif i were you to see the president you can believe that.

[logan r.]

Impressive article hannah. If I had met the president the first thing I would do is shake his hand and say to him personnely "thanks for all that you have done for our country" you were extremly lucky to meemt the president.perfect article hannah.