We've petitioned, argued, facebooked, written letters, and the results are in. No school in Montgomery County on January 20th, Inauguration day. So what next?
A surprising number of Blair students will be dragging themselves out of bed to participate in the festivities, though in a multitude of different ways. The event has 2,030 confirmed guests on facebook (though not all are from Blair) but it seems that every student has a different plan for the twentieth.
Juniors Diane Adamson, Julie Radomski, and Anya Kozarsky are part of a Girl Scout troop that will be handing out American flags and directing tourists around the mall.
"We're getting to the metro at 4:30 in the morning!" wails Kozarsky, who is not excited about the time or the cold. "I'm going to wear lots of layers, and fill my pockets of each of my layers with food." But Kozarsky is thankful for the opportunity to get such a privileged viewing spot for the inauguration. "It's history. You HAVE to be there," she affirms.
Radomski has the same views as Kozarsky, and doesn't understand why people wouldn't want to come down. "It's important to experience history. It's exciting that we get to participate, and everyone should come if they can."
Many people though, are not willing to brave the crushing crowds and chaos that will most certainly ensue from the four million people on the mall at one time. "Why would you want to go?" questions a skeptical student Anna Zakas, who feels watching it from home will be much better and more relaxing. Many students are in same boat as Zakas, and are taking a much nonchalant approach to the Inauguration. Sophomores Alexis Fennell and Angela McPhaul will be sleeping in then most likely watching the event from their houses.
However, not all Blair students will be able to attend the Inauguration, even if they wanted to, because though school might be canceled, all events are not. Ice hockey player Andrew Tran, for example, will be representing Blair not at the Inauguration, but on the rink at the Blair Hockey game.
Some students will be using the day not as a day to relax or celebrate but as a day to work and fundraise. Tenth grader Alessandra Montovani will be fundraising for "O-ambassadors," which is a project she is doing with school and the Oprah Winfrey show. Students have to complete a "change project," in which they form groups and create a project that will benefit the community in some way. Montovani says she is not going to waste the fact that 4 million rich tourists will be at one place, and will be down on the mall, fundraising for her project.
And of course, there are the select few lucky students whose parents are connected, and will have the privilege of getting up close and personal with tickets and balls. Tina Munoz-Pandya, whose mother works for the Obama administration, not only has tickets to the event but will be attending the Latino and women's Inaugural ball.
Though not all students may have tickets, many have high hopes for the Inauguration. Student Colin Ward is intent on actually seeing President-elect Barak Obama with his own eyes. "Even if it's only for three seconds as he walks by," Ward feels seeing Obama is akin to seeing history being made. "I mean, that's history right there."
Ward's sentiment is echoed throughout the hallways at Blair, where most students will be witnessing the historic Inauguration in some form, even if it is just from their couches.
So the day off will not be wasted, as Blair students live up to their Patriotic standard, and use their day off not to study for their upcoming exams, but to take part in their countries history.
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