Memphis, TN- Inauguration coverage was a history lesson like no other for Memphis City Schools students.
They watched on classroom televisions as the 44th President was sworn in. With pencils in hand, Bellevue Middle School students took notes on Barack Obama's speech.
"Seeing him being sworn in gives me hopes and motivates me," says eighth grader John Mosby.
Mosby breaks the stereotype that kids aren't interested in politics. He has followed Obama's road to the White House every step of the way.
"I wear my Barack Obama dog tag every day and it says hope, change and action because I hope he takes action to help change America. This is our first African American President and I didn't think it would happen in my lifetime even though I had dreams and hopes of becoming President, I didn't think we would have one and it's amazing," says Mosby.
"I really enjoyed it a lot. It's a big part in history and I've watched all the debates and I'm just really happy today,” says student Jakayla Haynes.
These students tell us their concerns are much like adults, the war in the Middle East and the struggling economy. Hearing words of encouragement from our nation’s new leader makes them hopeful about their futures.
"It shows me I can achieve anything as long as I stay focused on what I want to do, the sky truly is the limit,” says John Mosby.
Most schools in the Memphis City School district took part in the inauguration coverage. It was up to each principal how to incorporate the event into the school day. Some held school-wide assemblies and others opted to stream the coverage into individual classrooms.
