Inauguration is a rare governmental tradition.
By: Lea Kahn
In their 14 to 18 years of life, Lawrence High School students may have watched as many as three presidential inaugurations but in reality, they may only remember the most recent one that occurred in 2001.
But Lawrence High School history teacher William Tucker is determined that the students won’t miss the 2005 inauguration of President George W. Bush. He plans to videotape the ceremony and the festivities today (Thursday) and show them in class Friday.
As an added treat, LHS senior Brianna Probasco, who is in the nation’s capital this week taking part in the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference, will speak to her schoolmates about her experiences when she returns to town.
Meanwhile, Mr. Tucker said he will provide copies of the videotape of the inauguration to LHS social studies teachers for their classes. He plans to record the broadcast coverage the inauguration, the president’s speech and the parade that follows it.
"The thought is, this is the only time in high school that these students will have direct instruction on one of the very few ritualized or formal aspects of our government. It’s a ‘teachable moment,’" Mr. Tucker said.
"Our goal would be that in the next election cycle, students who attended LHS will remember the inauguration of 2005," he said. "We have so little in our government that is ceremonial and ritualistic. We should know a little something about it. With the ceremony, the ritual and the swearing-in, the students should see this is something that is a spectacle. The parade itself is something to see."
Brianna said last week that she was looking forward to attending President Bush’s inauguration, and taking part in the PYIC. She was invited to attend because she is an alumna of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council. She attended the CYLC’s National Youth Leadership Conference last year.
"I never thought I would get to go to an inauguration. I am definitely excited," said the 17-year-old LHS senior, who admitted that she had only some recollection of the 2000 presidential election.
Brianna is staying at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md., with the other PYIC participants. The students attend public and private inaugural events and also meet with members of Congress, national journalists, leading decision-makers, scholars and military leaders.
While she is in Washington, Brianna plans to ask some questions posed by her schoolmates to members of the New Jersey legislative delegation. Those questions range from the lawmakers’ views on the No Child Left Behind legislation and changes that could be made to tailor it to New Jersey’s needs, to their take on the U.S. PATRIOT Act and what can be done to ensure that individuals’ rights are protected?
Brianna also plans to ask the lawmakers about the most pressing issues they believe are facing Congress, to their ideas on expanding the job market for new college graduates, what they plan to do to win the votes of 18-year-olds, and whether they feel their decisions on issues are influenced by lobbyists?
The six-day conference kicked off Sunday with an orientation session, according to the CYCL’s Web site. During the next five days, the participants learned about "The Road to the White House," "The Presidency and the Congress," and "Celebrating the Presidency" all of which led up to Thursday’s session, which is the 55th Inaugural Celebration.
Following a congressional breakfast Thursday morning, the PYIC participants are slated to attend the inaugural swearing-in ceremony and then to watch the parade. They also will hold their own black-tie and dinner Presidential Youth Inaugural Ball, followed by a pre-dawn breakfast.
"It’s possible that President Bush will show up, but I’m not getting my hopes up," Brianna said last week.

