Hardin High School Students to witness Obama’s Inauguration

HARDIN, December 19, 2008 - On January 20th 2009, President Elect Obama will be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States of America. It is expected that at least 4 million Americans will be on hand for this ceremony. Through a program that has been brewing in the school for almost a year now, among this crowd will be 47 students from Hardin High School.

Teachers Amanda Key, Paula Ringer, Jonathan Mealer, and both Randy and Regina Snell will be taking these students on what some students have called “the trip of a lifetime.” As well as participating in the Inauguration celebration, students will visit numerous points of interest in and around D.C. Some of these sights include Washington “must sees” such as The White House, the Memorials, The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the Smithsonian Institute. In addition, students will visit Colonial Williamsburg, and the historically important sites of Jamestown and Yorktown. Each day of this excursion will be brimming with activity.

This trip did not come without a price, however. To pay for their portion of the trip, approximately $1000.00, students have participated in a seemingly endless amount of fundraising. They have been selling pastries, candles, school spirit shirts, and have hosted a series of car washes, and flea markets. These young people have been busy to be sure. Included in the price of the package is all transportation, all entry tickets, all meals, and even some down time at an area ice skating rink.

During the Inauguration the Hardin High School students had the opportunity to be seated on the White House lawn, within very clear view of the festivities. Last March, Government Instructor Amanda Key contacted Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s office to reserve tickets to the event, as per U.S. government instructions. Though the office did admit that they received more than 300 tickets to the event, and Hardin High School was first on the reservation list, the Senator’s office did not see fit to fulfill the request. Though Key explained that this was an experience for students and that the program had reserved tickets well before primary season was even in swing, the request was denied.

This hard work will soon pay off as the students will embark on a learning adventure that truly may be the opportunity of a lifetime. When else may we see our nation so politically involved? This is surely an occasion students will remember for the rest of their lives. Hardin High School would like to thank all those in the community that donated to funds, time, ideas, etc. to this program.

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