JSU Tigers travel to the Nation’s Capital for Obama Inauguration

Taylor Bembery
Blue & White Flash / Variety Editor

Forty-four Jackson State University students and four representatives from the Division of Student Life traveled to the nation’s capital to witness President Obama’s second inauguration and have a little fun while doing it.

JSU students loaded a motor coach in the parking lot of the Student Center and departed from the university at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, for what would be all night plus half day ride. Travel time according to JSU driver Deangelo Henderson was approximately 20 hours.

Michelle Chambers, the mother of Candace Chambers, a junior English major traveling on the trip, saw her daughter off before she left for the Washington D.C. road-trip.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for these students to see history being made at this presidential inauguration. Hats off to Jackson State University for making this possible not only for my daughter but other students as well,” said Chambers.

The trip from JSU to Washington D.C. was organized by Student Life and the Student Government Association. Despite the long travel, some students like Skyla Mitchell, a junior social work major from Jackson, Miss., anticipated the arrival to the historic District of Columbia.

“I am very excited because this is my first visit to Washington, D.C. and my first inauguration, something I will never forget!,” said Mitchell. Most of all I will be looking forward to learning more history, seeing lots of different people, and also looking at everyone’s facial expression when President Obama arrives to the podium.

Derick Green, a sophomore accounting major from Houston, Texas, added his expectations.

“As I travel to D.C., all I can think about is what a great experience this will be. Although the one thing I’m most looking forward to is the opportunity to learn of the historical value of the capital itself as well as having fun in the process,” said Green.

With blankets, pillows, snacks and all types of electronic devices, students dozed throughout the night in between watching movies and talking. Students made a pit stop at a McDonalds for breakfast at 8 a.m. in Raleigh, N.C. after a lengthy ride with one rest area at a Pilot truck station in Alabama after crossing the Mississippi state line. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood in the morning.

Carlos Smith, a junior psychology major from Jackson, Miss., said despite the long hours of travel he still viewed the trip from a positive perspective.

“The opportunity to experience another historical event is what makes me look past the amount of hours it takes to get to D.C. I am just excited to get the opportunity to socialize with students and enjoy the road trip,” said Smith.

The JSU group was elated to finally reach their destination when they saw the first of many historical monuments at approximately 12:50 p.m. Sunday. Some students quickly pulled out their camera phones to take a picture of the scenery and their view of the Pentagon and Washington Monument on their way to a hotel in Baltimore.

Natya Jones, a junior psychology major from Corona, Calif., said the ride was long but it was definitely worth it!

“There is so much rich history in Washington, D.C. I am mostly looking forward to the inauguration. I get the opportunity to be in President Obama’s presence and watch history take place for the second time,” said Jones.

Soon after their Sunday arrival, some students had a few hours of leisure activity at The Mall in Columbia in Columbia, Md. and the Harbor in downtown Baltimore.   JSU students will be among the thousands on the National Mall attending the 2013 Presidential Inauguration Swearing In Ceremony of President Obama. The JSU group will actually leave their hotel at 6 a.m. to get to the mid-morning event.

Immediately following the ceremony students will go sightseeing in D.C., with one stop being the Martin Luther King Memorial on the day his holiday is observed.