Downers Grove Students Attend Presidential Inauguration During Annual D.C. Trip

A group of 24 students from Downers Grove North High School witnessed history in the making last month as they attended President Barack Obama's inauguration during an annual trip to Washington D.C.

The group traveled to the nation's capital as part of the Close Up Washington D.C. program, which gives students and educators an inside look at democracy in action.

During the 10-day trip, students were able to tour the city, visit national monuments and interact with teens from high schools around the country.

"The main purpose of the program is to give students more civic education through real-life experience," said Erin Moore, a social studies teacher who chaperoned the trip.

Although students typically meet with state senators and members of Congress during the trip, an alternative activity was planned in light of particularly historic occasion.

"This year was special because we were actually in Washington D.C. during (President Barack Obama's) second inauguration, so our group was able to attend the ceremony as a substitute for our Capitol Hill Day, which was so exciting for all of us," Moore said.

The day before the inauguration, the group visited the National Mall, where vendors and video screens were already set up in preparation for the main event. Moore said they had initially planned to watch the ceremony there, but were instead able to secure tickets at the last minute.

"It was one of those experiences that you just never forget," Moore said. "Hearing the president speak, standing among a million people and witnessing history, it was just remarkable. I was so grateful we had that opportunity."

Downers Grove North senior Lisa Waitley first participated in Close Up in April 2012. She enjoyed the experience so much that she decided to go again.

"I thought it sounded like a really great opportunity to get involved in my community by learning more about social and political issues, and also to learn different views and perspectives from other high school students from around the country," Waitley said.

The highlight of the trip—without a doubt—was the inauguration, Waitley said.

"Seeing the inauguration up close was such a surreal experience," she said. "At the time, it was so hard to believe that such an historic event was happening right in front of me, or that I was actually part of it. Thinking back on it now, it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life."

Following the ceremony, Waitley and her group attended an inaugural ball with about 1,800 other Close Up Washington D.C. students.

"That whole day was fun, but the ball really pieced it all together by mixing exhaustion with fun," Waitley said.

While the memories of Inauguration Day will likely stick with the group forever, Moore also hopes her students took a new-found sense of civic duty back to Downers Grove.

"I wanted them to learn that our country is unique and that our government is so important, but I also wanted them to understand that they each have a voice," Moore said. "My hope was that they all know they can make a difference, whether that's by getting involved or simply exercising their right to vote."

Waitley said the Close Up program has taught her not only about national politics, but the various challenges facing her own community.

"The trip honestly motivated me to become more involved with the issues involving Downers Grove," Waitley said. "I am now more aware of my town's problems and their severity, therefore better equipped and more enthusiastic about getting involved."

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