East Hampton - Ross School students celebrated the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States this week. There were special screenings on both campuses and a luncheon is planned for Thursday, Jan. 22.

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the United States. The swearing-in took place at the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, with Chief Justice John Roberts administering the oath.

On the Upper School campus Ross High School students watched the swearing-in and the inaugural speech live in the High School building. The Middle School will view a tape of the inauguration on Thursday, Jan. 22 in the Movement Room of the Center For Well-Being.

On the Lower School Campus, the theme was "Inauguration 2009: A Rebirth of Freedom." It was borrowed from the official 2009 Inaugural theme, "A New Birth of Freedom," which commemorates the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. In Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, he uttered, "This nation shall have a new birth of freedom." This phrase became the cornerstone of this year's inaugural theme.

The Lower School students watched the inauguration live in the Multipurpose Room. The Parents Association also asked each student to create a star with his or her wishes for freedom; they will be hung on the Tree of Gratitude on Friday, Jan. 23, during a hot lunch, also organized by the PA.

"This election (and the intensity with which young people followed and participated in it) makes it an event that has historic import. Just as I remember watching an Apollo landing, I think all the students will remember this day," said High School Director Mark Frankel.

While this was the first time the school watched the inauguration live, the goal is to turn it into tradition.