Inauguration Day at Cooper High School

It's not everyday students get to watch TV in class, but today is an exception...

"A lot of kids cared," says Amanda Hahn, a junior, "it was a great historical event."

Anna Lowe took a test in the hallway while the inauguration ceremony took place. She peeked into a nearby classroom to catch a glimpse of what was happening in Washington DC.

"I was watching it through the hallway, and I got to hear it," says Lowe, another junior, "and I thought 'that was so cool.'"

Today's inauguration ceremony was a historical moment she did not want to miss. Regardless of where students were at the time of the inauguration, many say it was a moment they will remember forever.

"I remember where I was," says Alfred Bayaton, "I was in English, exactly what I was doing, and I'll remember this for the rest of my life."

Many students say watching Barack Obama's inauguration is something they will tell their children and grandchildren about in the future, but the moment resonated especially with students of color.

Toni Stevenson, a senior says, "it gives me hope and inspiration that I can become something great as well, he just put it out there for every young black student."

Some students did not express interest in the inauguration ceremony because their political views do not agree with President Obama, but most say he still desrves a chance.

"I don't think we should doubt anything that he says he's going to do," says Hahn, "just give him hope, stand behind him, and support all of his decisions."

Many changes may face the nation in the next few years, but this new generation has hope in what's ahead.