Publication Date: Friday, January 21, 2005
Paly students witness history first hand
Paly students witness history first hand
(January 21, 2005) Two travel to Washington, D.C. for inaugural events
by Alexandria Rocha
While many Palo Altans watched the presidential inauguration on their easy chairs Thursday, two Palo Alto public school students were front and center at the U.S. Capitol.
Moses Lai -- a Gunn High School sophomore -- and his sister, Priscilla Lai -- a Terman Middle School eighth-grader -- flew to Washington, D.C. Wednesday to participate in the international People to People Student Ambassador Program, which provided them stellar access to Thursday's 55th inauguration.
Moses, 15, and Priscilla, 13, were two of 600 students from across the country and the globe selected to watch the prestigious swearing-in ceremony, inaugural address and parade, as well as attend a formal celebratory ball.
Along with the other students, the Lais were chosen because of their academic achievements and interest in exploring other cultures while representing their hometown and school.
The most valuable part of the Lais' trip was to "see what else exists outside of our hometown," said Moses, who would have voted for President George W. Bush if he were of age. "It gives us a bigger world view."
Cynthia Lai, the siblings mother, said her family is not particularly political.
"I was hoping while they were visiting the great leaders and the museums and hearing all those great stories, it would inspire them to be better people, rather than just attending the event," Cynthia said.
Priscilla, who also would have voted for Bush, said the trip may spur a greater political interest.
"I think it might change, because I will have a better idea of how a leader really is. I think I will learn from this," she said.
The large group of students was also accompanied by a team of 100 educators and program coordinators. To prepare for the political arena, students were given materials on the U.S. government, the election process and the Electoral College.
On Thursday, Moses and Priscilla joined the hundreds of thousands of people who braved the freezing temperatures and lined snowy Pennsylvania Avenue for the parade. The Lais, however, were able to enjoy two of the coveted 40,000 bleacher seats as part of the program.
Security was tight for the inauguration, the first since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Safety was the "number-one concern" of those running the People to People program.
"Such exclusive access and hands-on learning opportunities are the hallmarks of People to People educational journeys and conferences," said Jeff Thomas, the program's chief executive officer, in a press release issued Wednesday.
Moses, who is enrolled in a U.S. history course at Gunn, was most excited to see the places he is currently learning about at school. As part of the program, he and his sister are also scheduled to visit Mount Vernon and Monticello, the historic estates and gardens of presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.
Priscilla soaked in the formal inaugural ball, created specifically for the attending youth, and meeting new friends. It was also Priscilla's first trip without her parents, an added bonus.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the program in 1956 during his administration. His granddaughter, Mary J. Eisenhower, is now the president and chief executive officer.
The trip to this year's presidential inauguration is just one of the People to People opportunities available to students. As part of the program, student ambassadors travel overseas for two to three weeks during the summer to learn, share, and represent their communities and schools.
Staff writer Alexandria Rocha can be e-mailed at arocha@paweekly.com.
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