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Obama's Speech Impresses His Youngest Citizens

CLIFF MCBRIDE/The Tampa Tribune

Gertrude Odom listens during the invocation at the inauguration celebration held at the Bible-Based Fellowship Church.

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TBO.com

Published: January 19, 2009

Updated: 01/20/2009 02:12 pm

Reporters from TBO.com, The Tampa Tribune and News Channel 8 are exploring the Tampa Bay area today, talking with people as they watch history unfold. Check back with TBO.com throughout the day as we post stories, photos and multimedia elements from Washington and Tampa.

Pizzo Elementary School, Tampa, 1:20 p.m.

Fifth-graders in Pattie Bean's homeroom class stood when the audience in Washington also stood while President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden took the oath of office, some raising their right hands and reciting the words.

Jahnia Charles, 10, said the oath was her favorite part.

"They are taking his trust and they are trusting him and giving him a chance," she said. "He was saying that he will honor and serve the United States."

At least half of the students in the class, set to graduate from high school in 2016, are bilingual, Bean said, with families from Jordan, Bosnia, Jamaica, Haiti and Myanmar. The boy from Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, arrived less than two weeks ago and speaks no English but watched the television intently.

Most students said they liked everything they heard in Obama's speech.

Eleanna Lattimore, 10, said, "It was very, very, very good." She especially liked "when Obama said that we can change this world and we can start all over."

Joelle Williams, 10, said she wasn't really sure what Obama was going to say before his speech. While he was speaking, she hung on every word and later said she liked everything he said, especially "his confidence in what he is saying, and he is not doubting himself or the country."

Bean said her students had been preparing for the inauguration because so many "don't fully understand our government."

"They are discovering history this year."

Dowdell Middle School, Tampa, 1:15 p.m.

"I hope you all appreciate what just happened here."

Keith Jacobs, a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher at Dowdell Middle School, turns off the projector that broadcast a historic moment for his students. He knows there are lessons planned for the day – writing reflections on the inauguration in social studies class, studying President Obama's environmental policies in science class – but he also knows there's a lesson that speaks directly to his students.

About 85 percent of the students in his college-readiness program live at or below the poverty level. And many, like Obama, were raised in a one-parent household.

In other words, the inauguration presented the ultimate role model. "I don't have to use an athlete or an entertainer," Jacobs later says to a reporter.

Dowdell Middle School, Tampa, 1 p.m.

The 100 students in the college readiness program at Dowdell Middle School celebrated the historic inauguration with a hot dog cookout.

It was consolation for what could have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

At one point last spring, Dowdell's principal, Robert Lawson, envisioned the election of the nation's first black president and wanted his students in the college readiness program to witness the inauguration firsthand.

The program's administrators had estimated how much it would cost to travel and lodge in Washington: about $500 per student. What school dollars could not pay for would be covered by fundraising.

But it was too much at a time when school districts are cutting millions from their budgets.

Dowdell teacher Keith Jacobs turned the letdown into his own teachable moment.

"You have to show perseverance and adapt to something that does not go your way," he said to his seventh- and eighth-graders.

The Coliseum, St. Petersburg, 1 p.m.

A sold-out crowd of 500 people filled The Coliseum for a luncheon to honor the inauguration of Barack Obama.

Strings of twinkling lights hung from the domed ceiling of the historical building's ballroom. Red, white and blue balloons decorated chairs and tables.

A brief program included speeches by St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, Pinellas County Commissioner Ken Welch and state Rep. Richard Kriseman. Students from Gibbs High School - Asian, Hispanic, black and white - sang the national anthem.

The mood was festive as people came together to watch the inauguration and celebrate. But the focus was on an oversized television screen on stage, playing a live broadcast of the inaugural events in Washington.

When Obama made his public appearance in Washington, people at The Coliseum stood and cheered. The crowd followed closely every moment of the inauguration, responding as if they were in the nation's capital. The group prayed with the invocations, sang with the national anthem and clapped during speeches. When Obama stepped to the podium, some people cried; others hugged or cheered. They were silent as Obama took the oath of office, erupting with applause after he completed it.

The St. Petersburg event was organized by the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American Museum and a local firefighters union.

University of South Florida Marshall Center, Tampa, 12:20 p.m.

The ballroom lights were dimmed during Vice President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony that brought more rounds of cheers.

As Barack Obama took the stage and laid his hand on a Bible Abraham Lincoln's used during his inauguration, there was utter silence followed by thunderous clapping, screaming and the flashing lights of cameras from the joyous crowd. It appeared that no one refrained.

Throughout Obama's acceptance speech, the crowd continued its display of overwhelming approval of the nation's new leader. Everyone in the room seemed focused on his every word. During his pauses, some occasional foot-stomping and whistling could also be heard.

Bible-Based Fellowship Church, Carrollwood, 12:15 p.m.

As the oath of office is given to the 44th president of the United States, just about every one of the 200-plus people in the Bible-Based Fellowship Church stood and cheered.

Jubilant is the word that describes the mood.

Almost all in attendance are black, but their ages vary widely. There are children and teens, middle-aged and elderly.

They all take part in the cheering, though.

"We have a president and we have change," says 11-year-old Taelor Davis. "This country is not going to go down. It's going to go up."

As the inauguration speech takes place, everyone is rapt.

At the appropriate time, cheers erupt and applause fills the cavernous sanctuary.

The ceremony and speech are being shown on a huge screen above where the choir usually sits.

"Pride" is what Natalie Alston, 50, says she feels today. She shows up with two young grandchildren, saying it was important to share this historic moment with others.

"I wanted to be part of history," she says.

Big John's Alabama BBQ, Tampa, 12:10 p.m.

Corey Miller has worked at Big John's Alabama BBQ, 5707 40th St., a family-owned restaurant, since he was 10. Today, he took a break from cooking ribs over a hot oak fire to watch the inauguration on television.

As the oath was administered, the lunch crowd of about 10 people inside the restaurant applauded.

"It's definitely a historical moment for everybody,'' said Miller, 28. "With the greatness of our country, it shows that anything can happen.''

Tampa Theatre, Franklin Street, 12:10 p.m.

Nearly 900 people filling the theater stood in complete silence as Barack Obama started reciting the oath of office.

That silence lasted as long as it took him to become the new president. Then the cheering started, echoing off the ornate ceiling of the 82-year-old theater.

The expression of joy swelled and rolled through "Hail to the Chief" and didn't end until Obama said, "My fellow citizens."

Pizzo Elementary School, Tampa, Noon

More than 700 students watched televisions perched in corners of their classrooms Tuesday as preparations for the inauguration ceremony got under way.

Even kindergarten students were ready, wearing homemade pink construction-paper hat bands emblazoned with the words "Today we welcome our new president."

First- and second-grade music classes sang a song they just learned about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Fifth-graders waited in Judy Chugg's art class with charcoal drawings of King and Obama that they created and attached to a whiteboard last week. Under King's image were the words "Dare to Dream." Under Obama, "Become your Dream."

"Obama's going to get sworn in to the White House today, and everybody's watching," said Eion Gustitis, 11, one of Chugg's students. "It's the first time in history a black person was voted to be the president."

University of South Florida Marshall Center, Tampa, 11:40 a.m.

It is standing room only, with an estimated 475 to 500 people. As Barack Obama appears on TV, the noise is almost deafening.

There are no cell phones in sight.

The mood of students is mostly somber as the proceedings begin. Screams emerge from the silence when Obama shakes hands with well-wishers.

When Sen. Diane Feinstein begins the ceremony, not an uttering could be heard from among the mass of students.

Tampa Theatre, Franklin Street, 11:40 a.m.

With a crowd that are no fans of the departing administration, the reaction as former presidents were introduced was fairly predictable.

The introduction of former president Bill Clinton, drew a loud cheer and clapping from more than 700 people in the theater. The introduction of former president George H. Bush was far more tepid but polite.

There were no cheers for Laura Bush.

The crowd saved its second-most vocal sign of displeasure for Vice President Dick Cheney.

But the first image of George W. Bush drew not only loud jeers and boos, but the choruses from the song "Hey, Hey, Goodbye."

Obama drew not only loud cheers but a standing ovation.

But the crowd also gave one of the loudest cheers when cameras showed movers taking Bush's belonging from the White House.

Cole's Barber and Beauty Shop, East Tampa, 11:30 a.m.

At the barber and beauty shop on N. 40th St., a steady line of customers trickled in and out of the small shop with its five barber chairs. The center of attention: a television in the corner broadcasting coverage of the inauguration.

Barber Darrell Hayes, 42, of Tampa said a thousand opinions are offered every day in a barber shop.

Hayes' opinion as he finished up with a customer: The election of Barack Obama is an opportunity for the country to become more unified.

"This is not just a big day for black people,'' Hayes said. "This is a big day for everybody, no matter what race you are.''

University of South Florida Marshall Center, Tampa, 11:15 a.m.

It's about 11:15 a.m., and about 250 students are gathered in the ballroom of the Marshall Center.

The chairs are filled with students and other guests from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, but predominantly of African-American.

As outgoing President George W. Bush left the White House for the last time as the nation's leader, loud cheers and claps erupt from the crowd.

Many say they came because it is an historic occasion.

Jason Douglass, a nonstudent who was there with a friend, is weating an Obama shirt he designed.

"This is beautiful," he says. "My father grew up and was part of the civil rights movement. I'm sure he is watching this momentous occasion."

Former president Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton were introduced just minutes ago; the students again belt out loud sentiments of joy.

Tampa Theatre, Franklin Street, 10:30 a.m.

The mostly young, mostly white crowd started filling seats and the lobby of the historical downtown theater as soon as it opened, the first time in 20 presidential inaugurations the doors opened to show a president being sworn in.

The concession stand did a quick, brisk business peddling popcorn and drink. Among those snacking was a pair of Plant High School students who were skipping classes to watch the event.

But they had more of a connection to Barack Obama than many here. Both met the president-elect when he was in Tampa.

Sarah Remer, 18, also worked on his campaign.

"He was just so personable, as if you'd known him for 12 years," the Plant senior said.

Lucy Scarritt, 16, met Obama when her parents held a fundraising event at their house. Her parents are attending the inauguration in Washington, D.C.

Her first question for the man who would become president wasn't about the economy, Iraq or even the campaign.

"I was getting my braces off and asked if he'd ever had braces. He said, 'Yes,' " she said. "I thought that would take stress off him."

Inside the theater, the balcony seemed the seat of choice for many early arrivals. The theater can hold about 1,200 people.

Bible-Based Fellowship Church, Carrollwood, 10 a.m.

More than 100 people gather shortly after 10 a.m. today after the doors to this cavernous sanctuary open. Most of the people are black and eager to watch the inauguration of Barack Obama on a huge screen above the stage where weekly sermons are delivered by the Rev. Arthur Jones. But, that's at noon. Before that, a panel assembles to discuss the significance of the day.

The crowd politely applauds the opening remarks of the panelists.

Retired Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Perry Little, who served more than 30 years on the bench, tells the assembly that he never thought he would see the day when a black man would be sworn in as president of the United States.

"This is a historic occasion," he says. "I can't believe what is happening today. This is history about to be made."

Former Tampa City Council member Bob Buckhorn draws applause when he says that people in this nation are eager for change.

"You see hope," he says. "You see aspiration. You see a country reaching for something bigger than what it is."

Downtown Tampa, on Pierce Street, 7:55 a.m.

  Eugene Merritt

"I think it's a great day," says Eugene Merritt, 28, of Tampa, talking about the historic inauguration of Barack Obama at noon today in Washington D.C.

"I'm young," he says, "but I didn't think I'd see this day in my lifetime."

He wants to watch the ceremony at noon, hoping he can get away from work and settle in front of a television set at lunchtime.

Downtown Tampa, across from Joe Chillura Square, 7:45 a.m.

  Deborah Thomas

Deborah Thomas, 50, of Tampa would like to be in Washington this morning, even though it's much colder there, watching the inauguration of Barack Obama.

"This is a historic event," she says while walking to work. "I wish I could be there and take part in the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States."

She says she will try to break away from her job with the county at lunch to watch the swearing-in ceremony on television.

Hillsborough County Center, downtown Tampa, 7:40 a.m.

  Joe Setticasi

"I think it's about time we had a president who might do things," said Joe Setticasi, 65, of Tampa. "I think he will. I'm all for him. I voted for him."

Setticasi, who works in the county's real estate department, hopes to sneak away from his work to watch the inauguration this morning.

Downtown Tampa, corner of Pierce Street and Kennedy Boulevard, 7:35 a.m.

  Janet Gentry

Janet Gentry, 53, Clair-Mel, braces herself against the cold wind, but is jubilant over the events unfurling over 800 miles away.

She hopes to break away from her job with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court to watch the inauguration at noon.

"I'm looking forward to a change," she says, on her way to work. "I'm hoping to get things turned around here."

She said the nation's reputation has sagged over the past several years, "and our image needs improving."

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