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2-21-2007 By MICHELLE MILLER Staff Writer Because the last Inauguration trip was such a success, CCS teacher Jennifer Pindar went back in front of the CCS Board of Education during its last meeting to get permission to go again and was granted approval. Students will travel by charter bus and will leave Jan. 17 and return Jan. 21. "Everything is still a very close call when it comes to who is leading for which party so I think it is going to be a very interesting election again. Just like it was when we went between John Kerry and President Bush," said Pindar, who will be the coordinator of the trip. While in Washington, D.C., students will be able to take part in several activities, including guided tours of the Capital, attending the Presidential Inaugural Address, and dressing up in gowns and suits for an Inaugural Ball. The Presidential Inauguration Address will take place Jan. 20. The purpose of the address is to outline the political values that will govern the country while also recognizing the requirements and limitations of being the president. The speech is a tradition that was started by the country's first president, George Washington, who made a short speech after the oath of office was administered. Nearly every president has followed suit, except for the five who entered office under unusual circumstances, including Andrew Johnson, who was sworn in immediately after President Lincoln's assassination. In 1997, President Clinton was the first to have his address broadcast over the internet for the entire world to see. The Inaugural Ball is exclusively for Smithsonian Student Travel groups, and is modeled after the official Inaugural Ball event. The ball will provide students the chance to meet and mingle with others from across the county. Pindar told board members she would need at least 30 interested students to be able to go for the price of $904. However, she said she does not feel getting enough interest will be a problem. Pindar said 80 students went on the last trip, which she said is probably the highest amount of any year. Pindar said the Inauguration trip is a "once in a lifetime" experience. "I ran into some students, who are now sophomores in college, over winter break and they were still talking about their time spent in Washington, D.C., said Pindar. According to Pindar, the students said they learned so much and were so glad they went. "I thought it was cool to hear these 20 year olds raving about this trip," Pindar said. Pindar said she plans to have an information meeting in early March. She said students can pay for the expenses of the trip on a monthly basis or in a one lump sum. The chaperone to student ratio will be one to 10, according to Pindar's presentation to the board. CCS Board of Education President Mark Rathbun said it should be an excellent trip. |
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