Smithsonian Student Travel staff on hand for Inauguration

On January 20, 2009, nearly all of Smithsonian Student Travel’s Boston-based staff members joined the throngs of Americans on the National Mall to witness the swearing in of the United States’ 44th president. Amid all the excitement and inaugural fervor, our staff worked to ensure that all of our travelers were getting the most out of their Inauguration Tour experience. Now, four Smithsonian Student Travel staff members report on their Inauguration experience.

Having come from a family of teachers, Caeli always knew that working in education would always be a part of her life. Now as a member of the Smithsonian Student Travel staff, Caeli says, “What I enjoy most about my job is working with people who are excited to be doing our jobs! The work environment is great because we work as a team to put together once-in-a-lifetime experiences for students all over the country.”

What was your role during the Inauguration Tour?

My main job during the Inauguration tour was to be in charge of coordinating the Inaugural Ball with Lauren Wakeman. Aside from this, I met and greeted groups on tour, transferred with a group on Inauguration Day, was a transfer tour director for a group to the airport and helped with check-in at departures.

How would you describe the atmosphere in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to and on the day of the Inauguration?

Being in D.C. during a time of such historic significance was amazing! Although the city was full and personal space was at a premium, there was an overwhelming sense of unity. People seemed to be happy and excited and weren't concerned with personal agendas. Rather it felt like there was a big party taking place and everyone was invited!

Describe your Inauguration experience.

We found a great spot on the Mall across from the National Museum of American History and were standing equidistant from the Capitol and the Washington Monument. Both iconic landmarks were lit and looked majestic in the still dark, early morning hours. We spent the next five hours making friends with our neighbors, dancing to stay warm and sharing in the exhilaration and significance of what we were all sharing. While Obama was giving his speech, his voice echoed all around us as his words boomed through the speakers down the Mall all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.

How did it feel to be a part of such a historic event?

At the time I knew I was experiencing history that will be taught in every American History class and written about in every textbook. I was filled with so much excitement and relief that the moment was finally here! The significance of what I was part of has only increased since returning. Sharing my experiences with family and friends has made it real. Reading the articles and looking at the photographs that have been circulated around the world put into perspective the magnitude of what I was given the opportunity to experience.

What was your big Inauguration moment?

Around seven in the morning, just as the sun was starting to rise all of the Jumbo-trons started to show clips from the concert at the Lincoln Memorial a few days before. Tim McGraw played the first few chords of "American Pie" and the energy all around me increased exponentially. Before I knew it, as far as I could see, everyone was dancing, singing and jumping around. At the time I normally woke up for work, I was dancing my heart out with co-workers, friends and people from all over the world.

What will you take away from your Inauguration experience?

I am taking away memories that I will be able to share for a lifetime. The fact that I was at Obama's Inauguration in 2009 is something that no one can ever take away from me. The fact that I was able to be part of it, and the idea that Smithsonian Student Travel helped to make that possible for thousands of students from across the country, is just amazing and gives me a strong sense of pride and accomplishment.

Celie Jenkins
Senior Tour Consultant

Celie Jenkins joined the staff of Smithsonian Student Travel two years ago to combine her loves of travel and education. As she says, “The rest is history!” But this former Washington, D.C., resident truly got a taste for history when she returned to the nation’s capital for the Inauguration.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy building relationships with our teachers. I work with group leaders from the Midwest, and many of these groups are led by teachers from small towns where many of the students have never traveled outside their home state before. It’s exciting to work with these teachers and help give their kids the opportunity of a lifetime to see and explore their country.

What was your role during the Inauguration Tour?

I was one of many staff members who were in town to help with logistics and make sure we had extra staff on hand to help out in whatever capacity was necessary. I met a group that arrived early to their tour and helped get them checked in to their hotel. I helped with the Smithsonian Student Travel Inaugural Ball.

How would you describe the atmosphere in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to and on the day of the Inauguration?
It was staggering to see the number of people who were all there for the Inauguration. It was simply like nothing I had ever seen before. Everyone walked taller and stood prouder and smiled broader because they all felt connected to this larger thing—not just our new leader, but in a bigger sense, an opportunity for the country to come together.

Describe your Inauguration experience.

We were right in the middle of everything. We arrived to the Mall at about 5:30 that morning and saw the sun come up behind the Capitol. Once President Obama started talking, you could’ve heard a pin drop. I mean, 2 million people all waiting for the same moment!

How did it feel to be a part of such a historic event?

For me personally it was really incredible. I was a volunteer for the Obama campaign from day one. Because I was afforded the chance to go to the Inauguration with Smithsonian Student Travel, I was able to stand on the Mall in person and remember those early summer months of campaigning door-to-door. Now, because of millions of volunteers like me, that man is our president. It’s pretty extraordinary.

What was your big Inauguration moment?
At one point, the Jumbo-trons started panning the crowd with cameras from above us. You could suddenly see the millions of people that were all there, waving their flags and shouting. A huge roar rose up from the crowd because we could all see the footage of the Mall and we all realized that we were looking at a live picture of ourselves! That was an amazing moment. To realize that you are there.

What will you take away from your Inauguration experience?
I will always remember that this was a moment shared with people all around the country and the world. And there were so many students who were there on trips that we helped organize, and they will always have those memories, too.

Elisabeth Grover
Area Manager, Operations

During her college years, Elisabeth traveled to Italy and studied abroad in Paris. That experience forever cemented her love of travel and her commitment to create travel opportunities for others. Now as a part of the operations team, Elisabeth works behind the scenes to make Smithsonian Student Travel tours come to life.

What was your role during the Inauguration Tour?

I was heavily involved in the Inauguration Tour from the beginning. Since I manage transportation in Washington, D.C., I was a key player in developing the plans. I spent months working with my colleague to book enough coaches to cover all our groups, and because so many people wanted to travel with us for the Inauguration, the number of coaches we needed kept increasing! During the actual week of Inauguration, I was in our local D.C. office to serve as support for our tour directors day and night.

How would you describe the atmosphere in Washington, D.C., in the days leading up to and on the day of the Inauguration?

The atmosphere was electric. Even walking out the door to grab a coffee at 5 a.m. on the 20th, I could feel how excited everyone was to be there for such an historic moment.

Describe your Inauguration experience.

I was standing by the Washington monument. Although I didn’t have a great view, I could hear very well, which I felt was more important. I was with several Smithsonian Student Travel colleagues as well as thousands of strangers. The great thing about this kind of unifying event was that even strangers felt like friends, because everyone was there for a shared celebratory moment.

How did it feel to be a part of such a historic event?

I felt lucky and grateful. It was the culmination of a lot of incredibly hard work, so it was amazing to get to participate in something I’ll remember my whole life.

What was your big Inauguration moment?

Listening to Aretha Franklin sing and feeling chills go down my spine. Looking around at the crowd as Obama was speaking and seeing tears of joy. But the moment that will stick with me the most is that a school group chanted, danced and sang the whole walk back from the Mall after the ceremony. They kept the energy level high during the long walk in a dense crowd of people and really epitomized the joy and excitement surrounding the event.

Lauren Wakeman
Tour Consultant

For the past two years, Lauren has worked closely with teachers to help them plan their class trips. However, Lauren was able to try out a new role during the Inauguration as the on-site contact for Smithsonian Student Travel’s Inaugural Balls.

How did you help out with the Inauguration events?

My major role during this tour was to be the on-site contact for the Inaugural balls. My duties included confirming the DJ, balloon arrangements, security, assigning jobs for other staff, coordinating staggered arrivals and departures for the groups. There were two balls with about 1,000 travelers at each ball! It was a highlight for me to see the dance floor overflowing with students dancing away.

Describe your Inauguration Day experience.

I traveled via Metro into D.C. with my bagged breakfast (which was delicious). I was on the mall before 7:00 a.m. and stayed there until almost 1:00 p.m.. Six other staff members and I found a spot near the Carousel in front of the Smithsonian Castle. As we waited, they replayed the Inaugural concert from Sunday on the Jumbo-trons. Dancing to the music kept us warm and it made the time pass! The energy on the mall was addictive!

How did it feel to be part of such a historic event?

The experience of being there is something that I will remember forever and will be able to talk about for the rest of my life. My favorite moment was during President Obama’s speech and hearing the echo throughout the Mall. Hearing this echo is something that I wouldn’t have been able to experience if I had watched this event on TV.