The Presidential Inauguration—

NMS Students Take Time Out For History In The Making

By Eliza Hallabeck

Newtown Middle School had an altered schedule on Tuesday, January 20, as the students and faculty throughout the school stopped to witness the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama.

Social studies teacher Oona Mulligan said she booked the auditorium for her cluster to watch the inauguration of President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden when school resumed classes after winter break.

The planned celebration of the day then grew to include all of the seventh grade students at NMS to watch the inauguration in the auditorium, and eighth grade students scheduled to watch the event in the school’s cafeteria.

Ms Mulligan said the technology department was able to set up cable in the two rooms so the students would be able to watch the event live on large screens.

Ms Mulligan’s Seven Orange Cluster started its celebration of the inauguration at 10:30 am as the entire cluster gathered in the homerooms of teachers John Ventresca and Brooke Unger.

“I want them to see the peaceful transition of power,” said Ms Mulligan as students ate during the cluster’s pre-inauguration celebration.

For the event, two tables were set up with food, which included cheese pizzas from Big Y, vegetables, fruit, and cake.

Seven Orange Cluster student Angel Santos said his mother, Griselle Santos, made the cakes in celebration of the day. He said she made the white, red, and blue cakes from scratch, and he was not allowed in the kitchen.

Plates and napkins with the American flag also decorated the spread.

Ms Mulligan said as a social studies teacher she wanted her students to see the inauguration to further their learning of citizen skills and patriotism.

“I think especially with people viewing the United States negatively, everyone is down about the economy, especially this year, it is great because it builds that sense of patriotism and pride,” Ms Mulligan said.

She added that President Obama is the first African American president elected, which makes the day historic.

For her cluster’s competition for who could wear the most patriotic outfit, Julia Frattaroli pinned an enlarged photograph of Barack Obama to the back of her T-shirt. “I thought if I represented to everyone by having him on my back, everyone could see who our president is,” Julia said.

Julia said she was excited to view the presidential inauguration in the school’s auditorium. “It’s going to be great to actually see. It’s going to be a really historical moment,” she said.

Many students wore hats and other outfits designed for the day. A few students wore shirts and ties for the occasion.

NMS seventh grade student Nehar Patel said the cluster followed the election campaigns and studied the presidential nominees before Election Day.

“Obama is being sworn into office,” Nehar said. “It’s a historical moment. It should be fun.”

Another student in the cluster, Sam Svensson, said he was looking forward to viewing the inauguration.

“I think we really get to see a crowning achievement for hopefully a big turnaround in the US economy and war tactics,” Sam said.

“With the new election of a president comes new opportunities,” said Sam. “So I hope he sticks to his word as best he can and makes a comeback.”

Jillian Vazquez said she was excited to the historical moment of the first African American president.

“We get to celebrate one of the most historic events of our country,” said Jillian.

After celebrating with their cluster, the students and teachers of Seven Orange went to the auditorium with the rest of the seventh grade, and the inaugural celebration began playing on the large screen in the auditorium.

Students filled the seats, and a few students lay on the ground looking up at the screen as Vice President Biden and President Obama were sworn into office.