Beloit Memorial students excited about trip to inauguration

Reporters from the region converged on Beloit Memorial High School on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to ask students questions about their trip to Washington, D.C., for the inauguration of Donald Trump. From the left are Abby Garsow, Matt Vieth, Ben Levy, Samantha Grahn and AP History teacher Matt Flynn.

A Great Opportunity for Students

This election that caught Samantha Grahn’s attention and may be a catalyst for a political future.
But first, she’ll witness political history.

Grahn, a junior at Beloit Memorial High School students will be one of 18 AP U.S. History and AP Government students who will attend Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday as the nation’s 45th president.

The election process was turbulent, but the transfer of power in Washington, D.C., between President Barrack Obama and Trump isn’t likely to be testy or ruin the nation, said AP History teacher Matt Flynn. The country has seen much worse, “The election of 1800 was supposed to be the revolution of 1800, and heads would be rolling like they were in France,” said Flynn, who with AP Government teacher James Hoey will chaperone the trip. “It came and then Jefferson became president, Adams stepped down, the sun came up and everything was great.
 

 
“As contentious as this election cycle was, Obama will graciously had power over to Trump and the sun will come up. The founders knew what they were doing when they wrote the Constitution and it’s proved to be successful for 217 years. “

The Inauguration is the perfect high school trip for Grahn, who says she’s really into politics and history. In addition to the inauguration, students will spend three days in museums and other Washington, D.C. attractions.

“The election sparked my interest in doing something in politics,” said Grahn, who was one of four students Wednesday participating in a news conference to discuss the trip that begins with a 2 a.m. Thursday bus ride to Mitchell Field in Milwaukee.

Students, some of whom raised money to offset costs of the trip, will arrive in Washington around 8:30 a.m. and spend the next 10 hours exploring the Capital City.
Friday they’ll have great seats for the event, after scoring reserve tickets through the bipartisan efforts of Sens. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, and Ron Johnson, a Republican.

“It’s really going to be an historic event, so I’m excited,” said Abby Garsow, a junior.

“I didn’t really care who won. I just thought this would be a good experience” said Senior Matt Vieth, whose brother went to President Barrack Obama’s second inauguration with Beloit classmates.

“I just hope Donald Trump doesn’t make a fool out of himself.”

Vieth said he doesn’t agree with Trump’s politics, but he’ll keep an open mind and an eye on midterm elections, in which he’ll be eligible to vote.

Sophomore Ben Levy sees the trip as an extension of the classroom and he’s eager to see and experience Washington culture.

“With all the drama and what’s surrounded this election, I’ve paid more attention to it that I have in the past,” said Levy, who is excited about seeing the Smithsonian museums, but said hopes “we don’t get caught up in any protests that might be going on.”

Students attending Donald Trump Inauguration
Washington, D.C. January 20, 2017

Media Coverage

• Beloit Memorial Students Head to D.C. for the Inauguration | WMTV – NBC15.com
• Beloit high school students head to DC to watch inauguration in person | WISC Channel 3000.com
• Beloit students to attend Presidential Inauguration Friday | ABC 27 – WKOW.com
• Beloit Students to Attend Inauguration | MyStateline.com
• Media Monitoring Suite | WIFR (CBS) – tveyes.com

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