Atlanta Daily World

Price High Student Recalls Inaugural Trip To Washington

By DEANA B. USHER

(Editor’s Note: Miss Usher is a member of homeroom 11H-5 at Luther Judson Price High School and stands, academically, in the first five of the junior class at that school. She was one of twenty-five Price students to make the inaugural journey.)

To be a minute part of the inauguration of the president of the United States has probably never been a very prominent thought in the minds of many high school students. At least, I never thought I would actually witness the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy. But, through the modern miracles of science, the understanding and generosity of parents, and the progressive, considerate and hard working Parent Teachers Association, such a trip was made possible.

Chaperoned by two teachers and a parent, a group of twenty-five Luther Judson Price High School seniors and juniors boarded the Southerner at Atlanta's Terminal Station on the eve of the inaugural ceremonies. Constant chatter, banging of suitcases and pin-curling

(Continued on Page 3, Col. 6)
Price High Student
(Continued from Page One)

of hair filled the Washington-bound train.

The excitement of the starry-eyed students of LJP was ablaze until the "wee small hours." Sleep was a thing of the past because no one wanted to miss one minute of this undertaking which will remain indelibly imprinted upon our curious minds. A very comical and lively porter, whom everyone chose to call George Washington, made the trip most enjoyable through his whimsical remarks and hilarious antics.

After spending a pleasurable night on the train, which also carried Governor Vandiver and his party, we arrived in Washington to be greeted by 20 degree weather, seven inches of snow and a mass of inauguration visitors. We looked forward to a pleasant day.

Our first stop was the Terminal locker room. There the luggage was checked and we plodded through the snow to the front lawn of the capitol - site of the ceremonies.

Despite the bitter cold, the lawn was filled with onlookers who remained for the entire program which lasted approximately 45 minutes. One wonders how strange eye-witness events work out because many of you at home saw more on television than we who were there. But, our consolation and excitement rests in the fact that WE WERE THERE! Having witnessed a momentous occasion which will be recorded in the history book that our children will one day bring home, we dispersed for a very important reason: Lunch.

The curiosity of every woman (and man) concerning the First Lady was satisfied as we watched the parade roll down Pennsylvania Avenue. We were parties to the opportunity to observe her closely and no one can tell how many of us are planning to copy her hair style.

But, the president's hair was found to be truly a brilliant red.

A sightseeing tour was conducted later in the evening. Various points of interest were visited by us. Among these were the Jefferson Memorial, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, National Archives and the Library of Congress. We had truly opened the pages of the history books.

Tired and nearly exhausted from the day's activities, the small regiment returned to await the arrival of the homeward-bound train. No chatter, banging of suitcases or pin-curling of hair was to be found, for all were soon fast asleep dreaming the day they'll never forget as an eye-witness to history, The Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy.