Students from Chicago’s Alcott College Prep are in the nation’s capitol with one very big goal in mind: Operation Meet The Man. The man in question is Barack Obama, sworn in for a second term Sunday as the 17 7th and 8th graders from Lincoln Park school toured the nations capitol.
Students and their families began saving up for the trip in March. With the help of 5th District Congressman Mike Quigley (D-Chicago) they have coveted tickets for Monday’s publicly swearing in on the steps of the Capitol.
The students are part of teacher Jenny Vincent’s social studies classes. They made the decision early on to attend the inaugural no matter who won, Obama or Mitt Romney. And they came with issues on their mind for the President’s second term, including, more work on the economy, increased funding for NASA and to bring military troops home from Afghanistan.
Their trip has included visits to the Smithsonian, the Newseum and historic sites in Arlington, along with meetings with Quigley and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.
They note proudly they are the only Chicago public elementary school attending the Inauguration. Just one more thing could make this trip even more special than it has been, they say. Meet The Man.
