Inauguration Excitement: A High School Student’s Perspective

We woke up at 4:30 in the morning and headed to the metro, where we began a long day of jostling crowds and hectic walking. Despite this, I have not spoken to one single person who would rather be somewhere else, and I cannot wait to be a part of one of the most important events in my lifetime.

Monday, as I darted through the streets of Washington, D.C. clutching my recently purchased Barack Obama coloring book and gulping my refreshing "Barack Water," I could not help but marvel at the vast diversity of people, sights, and street-side goods that dotted our  capital’s  streets. My East Chapel Hill High School class stopped at the National Archives to view the beginnings of our nation’s history:  History that will continue to be made today.  We then continued our day near Chinatown to experience the city for ourselves. The streets were filled with people selling and buying Obama-themed gear, and the variety of products that filled these stands amazed me. There were the standard T-shirts and hoodies   but also thrown into the mix were ties, calendars, cookies and, of course, the aforementioned coloring books all bearing the smiling face of the president-elect.

Even more diverse than the paraphernalia are the crowds of people filling the streets. Joining us in D.C. are men and women of every age, profession, shape and size, and we all feel the same sense of awe at the incredible historic importance that today holds.

–Emma Ferriola-Bruckenstein, Special to ABC News On Campus