Frozen for history

The school grounds seemed like a ghost town for a good 20 minutes Tuesday morning as every student, and nearly every staff member at Estancia High School, stood or sat in front of a TV listening to President Barack Obama.

Obama’s voice echoed against the English classroom walls near the rear of the school. If students weren’t sitting at a desk watching his inauguration, they were on the ground in front of one, heads tilted upward, many of them watching their first presidential inauguration.

The last time the entire school fell silent as students and staff alike were glued to a TV was during the Los Angeles riots in 1992, said senior English teacher Marian Dickey. Before that, the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986 captured their attention, she said.

“They got the opportunity to hear the words of a future world leader,” Dickey said, giddy with the power of the moment and sharing it with students and coworkers.

Inside one room witnessing history were three English classes — an English as a Second Language class, a sophomore English class and a senior Advanced Placement English class.

“To see all these groups of kids together for this is just amazing, having this experience and sharing the moment,” she said.

Some students looked to Obama’s race for historical context in the inauguration, others to his message of change.

For Megan Weir, an 18-year-old senior who was able to vote in this election, Obama’s words to other nations resonated.

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist,” Obama said.

“It’s how he’s going about this, there was a lot of powerful imagery with the clenching of the fist,” Weir said. “This is our future. It’s important for our country. I think he can accomplish a lot.”

Teacher Denise Moore was equally taken aback by the students’ enthusiasm, many of whom applauded when Obama concluded his speech.

“I think it was interesting that he addressed so many issues. I guess it reflects the state we’re in right now. I think he’s the first president that’s inspired so many and talked about change and hope. That’s what reaches them,” Moore said of her students. “They’re realizing they’re part of a bigger picture and what’s going on does affect them.”

JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at [email protected].