Challenger

Apollo’s very own I.B. students were given the oppurtunity to attend the two thouasand-five presidential inauguration on January the twentieth. The students, while enjoying an educational piece of American history, also received exposure to the surroundings of a new city.

With all of the cultural icons and the glow of ceremony permeating the air the inauguration was an event not to be forgotten. Junior IB student Maxson Overby clearly enjoyed the experience during the Inaugural soiree, though she was nearly a mile away from Bush during the inauguration and claims that security, despite the widespread belief that it would be harsh, wasn’t as serious as it was reputed to be.

“They made a big deal about security, but it wasn’t really unbearable or anything. Purses and bags had to be ten by six by four. Males were searched by male officers, females by female officers, and pockets had to be checked for dangerous items and stuff like that. Over all it wasn’t a really big deal and I had no problem with going through any of the security process.”

In fact, according to Maxson, the only tedious part of the inauguration was the line.
“ We waited in line for two or three hours and there were all kinds of protesters hanging around, shouting anti-Bush comments as we shuffled along.”

Despite the interminable waiting conditions, the students did enjoy the company of other students from all over the country.

“ I got to talk to people from high schools in places like Texas, Michigan, North Carolina, Florida. There were students from all over the place and it was fun to get to talk and share the experience with them.”

Aside from having the oppurtunity to associate with other students, Maxson also got to hobnob with military personel, or, more specifically, a sniper, from whom she learned a great deal about various topics.

However, though the IB students were able to witness the inauguration, due to a time issue, they didn’t get to see George Bush get sworn in. Despite this setback, they still enjoyed the experience and clearly will never forget it.