KIPP LA Blog

Yes We Did!

January 20, 2009

The patient crowd waiting in line for the security check to enter the Mall at around 5:00 am.

The patient crowd waiting in line for the security check to enter the Mall at around 5:00 am.

Today was the best day! We finally made history and I was so excited.

We all got up at 3:30 am so we could go to the Metro station in order to get to the Mall. When I woke up, I could feel the energy of everyone with us on the trip. We all went to the Metro train and then we went to the checkpoint. We all were tired, but twe waited about 4 hours, and we waited, and waited. We all stood there patiently, waiting with thousands of others.

After those hours passed, we went to the security gate and had to hold on to each other because we didn’t want to lose anybody, holding on to each other in the crowd lasted about a full hour or more.

Once we went to the other side of the gate, all the people and us were waiting and a lady said that there was no access to the mall! We were all disappointed but we made the best of it by going on the parade route and waiting by getting the spots for us to sit in, and once Obama arrived, we started screaming really loudly. Once we heard his speech we all go emotional and excited I wanted to go to the Mall, but it was packed. So now we are at home and we got to take a three hour nap.

I will write tomorrow and stay up to date!
 

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Ms. Smith, you're going to have to explain to me how in that picture there was a line? So sorry you could not get in. CNN was saying there was plenty of room in the Mall. Boo on them. I'm glad that you got to see the President go by in the parade. You were probably closer to him than you would've been had you gotten into the Mall. I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip, especially tomorrow's trip to Howard and KIPP: DC KEY. Have a safe...and warm, flight home.
 
Mr. Jutabha 1:15AM 01/21/09
Dear Jacquelyn, today I cried tears of joy, thanksgiving, hopefullness, for our new President, Barack Obama, our Country and you, for the possibilities that awaits. Today was an emotional Day and one that we all are proud Americans. Thanks to KIPP for giving all of the children a footprint in history.
 
Lee Smith 12:43AM 01/21/09

Oh So Busy

January 18, 2009

Today was the busiest day we have had here in D.C. I have never seen so many things with Obama on it. I was like, how much merchandise can one person hold?


So, after we made our way through the chaos I was so impressed on just how the outside of the National Holocaust Museum was so breath taking that I was about to break down in tears because I couldn’t believe that I go home and complain about all the great things in my life when all these people lost all they had. When I started taking notes and as soon as we were done with the first floor I had like five pages of notes. You really realize that you don’t know the Holocaust until you you’ve seen this museum. My sadness is not bad, as every should feel sad when the really see what the Holocaust is all about.

Today was hectic because all these people were headed to a concert which caused a lot of traffic even to those who were walking. Everywhere one looked you saw one of two things, a police car or some type of Obama merchandise. The Metro train was the most crowed day I have seen so far.


Please visit tomorrow and hear about all the excitement!
                                                                                                                          

 

 

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Hey little cousin, I'm reading your Blog and I wanted you to know how proud I am of you. Love You,
 
Stacy L. Mckee 1:57PM 01/20/09
Did you go to the concert.
 
dominique 7:56 01/20/09 10:57AM 01/20/09
Were you thinking about Number the Stars when you were ate the museum? I am sure little Annemarie came to life while you heard the stories of those people.
 
Mr. Sewell 9:44PM 01/19/09
Ms. J., I am so happy to read that you are absorbing to much of the atmosphere of D.C.. The Holocaust Museum moves so many to tears, as it should. Continue with your great observations. I look forward to reading more.
 
Ms. Marie Comerford 1:58PM 01/19/09
It sounds like you took a lot away from your visit to the Holocaust Museum. Those are lessons you should never forget. - Mr. Diaz
 
Mr. Diaz 11:39PM 01/18/09
We are missing you but very excited that you are in DC and taking in the history that is being created and seeing the history that brought us to this special moment. Take in the excitement and carry that feeling with you as encouragement that you can do anything that you want, you are our shining star.
 
Mom and Dad 11:26PM 01/18/09
Sorry I missed your call tonight, I saw the concert onTV today and John and I were looking for you. I am glad you were able to see Georgetown and I will be happy to help you move in when you get accepted to Georgetown.
 
Jonathan Smith 11:21PM 01/18/09

What a Day!

January 17, 2009

Healy Hall, photo by Jacquelyn.

Healy Hall, photo by Jacquelyn.

    Today was day one of the tours and all the other excitment. To start the day we all woke up and made oatmeal and made lunch. Right before we left we had a mini lesson and that made us run a little late. I was so ready to face the cold air. I was like lets GO! So once we left we walked to Georgetown University. The moment we got on campus I was in shock! That was one of the most beautiful schools I have ever seen. The only thought that ran through my head was I could be at this school when I go to college. When we started to walk through the campus I realized that the people were very friendly. Our tour guide Rachel was so great , she was very kind and she knew her school inside and out. One of the most inspirational buildings to me was Healy Hall. I would say that this building was inspiring because it was named after Georgetown Univesity's first black president.

    Next, we walked across the Key Bridge over the Potomac River which lead us into Virgina. After we reached Virgina we went to the Metro train and went to the Capitol but, sadly we were late so we went to the Air and Space Museum. I was worried that I would lose me water because it said no food or dinks, but I got to keep it. So we all made a visit to all types of exhibits but then, I found exactly what I was looking for, the Black history section and I loved the part about Bessie Coleman. She was the first black woman pilot which lead us to all the women pilots that we have now.

    Once we left the museum we started to head home and that was a very inetresting experience because we walked, ran, and waited. The most difficult part for me was running up the escalator and we missed the bus by about 5 minutes or a little less. Then, we got on a bus and came home. I loved the meal that was prepared for us and we were all glad that we had that meal. Now we will all go to sleep!

Please visit my blog tomorrow and try to keep up with all the exciting adventures of D.C.!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jacquelyn, I hope you're having a great time with your classmates and teachers You are doing a great job keeping family and friends & the world informed of your journey. I'm so excited that you are growing up in a time of great change in America. I'm proud of your achievement and all of your hard work, for one day it could be you being sworn in. I'm so proud of you. Love, Uncle Dino
 
Dean Smith 7:13PM 01/18/09
Glad to hear that you are enjoying your trip. Georgetown is just the tip of the iceberg. The East Coast is filled with beautiful colleges and universities. Wait till you see Harvard on the Boston/New York trip next year. - Mr. Diaz
 
Mr. Diaz 5:16PM 01/18/09
Dear Jacquelyn , I am grateful for the opportunity you have been given to see historic places, and also to be a part of history being made by our Country, our Culture and our President, Barack Obama. Love Gran Gran
 
Lee Smith 1:54PM 01/18/09

We are Finally here!

January 16, 2009

Welcome to everyone who will read about my experiences here in Washington, DC!

Today was long, but exciting! I woke up at 3:15 am in the morning with a nervous cramp in my leg.  When I woke, I was jumping in my skin because I was so anxious. All I was thinking was how I would feel once I got to the other side of the country. I always wondered how cold it would be here because everyone told me I would freeze in DC! I said that I could deal with it to everybody before I left, but I was wrong.

I am so glad that Virgin America sponsored our trip, because I have never seen any other planes with all the fun activities you can do while flying. My six hour flight was very time consuming, but my time was filled with entertainment.  I plan to do lots of homework on the flight back to LA. 

When the plane had just landed and they opened the door, I was rushing to put on all my jackets that I had put away when I got on the plane.  As soon as they opened the door to the plane, freezing air came rushing in!

I was surprised that the public transportation was so calm and peaceful. I had a great time on the Metro bus because we were like celebrities; everyone wanted to talk to us. Then once we got off the bus, we waited for the Metro train and we loved it. All of us thought that they would be dirty and busy but they were very calm and quite. We all loved how we had to rush on the Metro because you only have about 45 seconds to get on before the doors close and we have 16 people with us, all with heavy luggage.

Now we are at the house I am stuffed, and ready for all that will come my way for the rest of the trip!

Please visit tomorrow and subscribe to my blog.  Tomorrow we get a private tour of Georgetown University and the US Capital. 

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Wow hope your toes dont break off because of the cold
 
Whitney Smith 2:38PM 01/20/09
Thanks for sharing your experiences on the road to the inauguration with us. Our hearts are filled with pride. Treasure each moment. Tons of love, Uncle Joaquin
 
Uncle Joaquin and Aunt Monica 1:06PM 01/18/09
We are so proud of you. Through your eyes we will all celebrate this inspiring time in our history. WE are looking forward to this new chapter in United State of America history. Love you and be safe.
 
Aunt Monica & Uncle Joaquin 2:30PM 01/17/09

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Jacquelyn, Class of 2015

Hi, my name is Jacquelyn from the class of 2015. I'm a sophomore (sixth grader) at KIPP Academy of Opportunity middle school in South LA. I am one of the hard working students who has been selected to go to the presidential Inauguration and tour Washington, DC, as a result of my writing a stellar essay! I will be blogging about my leadership development in Washington, DC, each night between January 16th and January 22nd. Feel free to subscribe and get my daily postings! "Be nice. Work hard."

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