Savannah Grove celebrates inauguration with ball

Tyrique Ross-Lake, right, straightens his sleeves Friday as kindergarten teacher Beverly Ponton helps Justica Smith gather snacks during the Inauguration Ball at Savannah Grove Elementary School in Effingham. The ball, which featured a “meet and greet” with students playing President-elect Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, offered students a chance to dress up and celebrate the historic inauguration of the nation’s first black president.

By: | SCNow
Published: January 17, 2009

EFFINGHAM — Savannah Grove Elementary School held its very own inaugural ball Friday to give about 800 students a taste of what is in store for millions of people traveling to Washington, D.C., for President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration Tuesday.

The school’s gym was the location for light refreshments, jazz music and a meet and greet with the first family.

Several students portraying Obama and his wife, Michelle, as well as Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, greeted students as they entered the gym. Those students were Roswell Swann, Stacy Williams, Wesley Davis, Brittany Cain, Jose Orozco, Arianna Massey, Ron Williamson, Amanda Jimenez, Rion Osborn and Kristain Chavis.

Lisa Williamson, the school’s science coach, said she and Mary Cook, the school’s media specialist, thought of the idea after determining they wouldn’t be able to attend the inauguration themselves.

“We really wanted to be at the inauguration, but can’t (be there), so we decided to bring the inauguration here,” Williamson said.

The inaugural ball rounds out a week filled with lessons about the history of the presidential inauguration and all the activities involved with it.

“This is a major event for our country,” Williamson said. “It’s our country’s way of welcoming in a new president and a new beginning.”

Cook said she wanted to help bring the elegant event to Savannah Grove so students could get a “taste of what the inauguration (and) its activities are like.

“It’s a historical event and most of us well never attend an inauguration in our lifetime, much less an inaugural ball, so we wanted them to realize what a special time it is,” she said. “I think it’s something they’ll always remember.”

Kierstin Godfrey, an 11-year-old student at the school, said the inauguration is a great achievement and she was happy the school was able to let students experience part of the inauguration activities.

“I think every student should be able to have an inaugural ball like this,” Kierstin said. “You really don’t know what goes on in (an official) inaugural ball, but now you get to know what happens.”

Williamson said the ball wouldn’t have been possible without donations and support from parents, faculty and staff.